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RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 poster

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Episode release dates & where to watch

Premiered

Friday, January 2, 2026

Ended: Friday, April 17, 2026

When does RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 come out?

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 premiered Friday, January 2, 2026 on MTV and ended Friday, April 17, 2026. The season has 16 episodes.

This season, 14 sickening new queens enter the Werk Room to compete for the title of "America's Next Drag Superstar," an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics and a cash prize of $200,000 courtesy of the popular video game RuPaul's Drag Race Match Queen.

Last updated

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 release schedule

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 episode release dates
Episode Release date

1. You Can't Keep a Good Drag Queen Down!

In shady times, let there be light! A dazzling new cast of queens navigate the first challenge of the season: "Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!" The queens must repurpose leftover treasures from the Drag Race vaults to create their own signature drag look. Superstar Cardi B guest judges.

Friday · 10 months ago

2. Q-Pop Girl Groups

The queens sing and dance in rival "Q-Pop" girl groups: the "Q" standing for quintessentially queer, with tracks inspired by Sylvester, Wham! and The Runaways. Actress and singer Dove Cameron guest judges.

Friday · 10 months ago

3. RDR Live Returns!

Live from Tuckahoe, RDR Live returns! The queens must once again serve up laughs in the hilarious send-up of the iconic sketch comedy show. Actress and comedian Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live) guest judges.

Friday · 9 months ago

4. Red Carpet Mash-Ups

The queens must create show-stopping looks inspired by a mash-up of two different legendary red carpet looks. Broadway star Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked, Legally Blonde) and superstar stylist Law Roach guest judge.

Friday · 9 months ago

5. The Rate-a-Queen Talent Show (1)

It's judgement day, as half of the queens take the stage to perform a show-stopping talent number, while the other half watch and rate the performances. Swedish singer Zara Larsson guest judges.

Friday · 9 months ago

6. The Rate-a-Queen Talent Show (2)

Alliances form and schemes are hatched, as the other half of the cast takes to the stage for their talent show, and to be rated by their sisters. Musician Amy Taylor (Amyl and the Sniffers) guest judges.

Friday · 9 months ago

7. Drag Queens for Change

The queens are tasked with creating twisted parodies of political ads. Choreographer Jamal Sims (Aladdin), and singer-songwriter Leland guest judge.

Friday · 8 months ago

8. Snatch Game of Love: Island Edition

RuPaul throws the queens a curveball by giving the classic celebrity impersonation game show a format twist. Actress and model Brooke Shields guest judges.

Friday · 8 months ago

9. Fannie: The Hard Knock Ball Rusical

This season's Rusical is inspired by a mashup of the classical Broadway musical Annie, and New York City ballroom culture. Record producer Benny Blanco guest judges.

Friday · 8 months ago

10. Drag in a Bag

RuPaul throws a spectacular curveball at the queens with the third design challenge of the season. Supermodel Iman guest judges.

Friday · 8 months ago

11. A Toast to Alyssa Edwards

The queens pay a comedy tribute to tongue-popping Drag Race legend Alyssa Edwards. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka guest judges.

Friday · 8 months ago

12. Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Drag Queens

The queens make over queer cowboys. Actress and comedian Danielle Pinnock (Ghosts) guest judges.

Friday · 7 months ago

13. Karens Gone Wild

The queens face off with RuPaul in a chaotic improv challenge inspired by viral "Karen" meltdowns. Actress Julianne Nicholson (Paradise; Hacks) guest judges.

Friday · 7 months ago

14. Good Morning Bitches

The queens take over the 8th and 9th hour of a morning show, testing their hosting skills with interviews and banter. Actress Teyana Taylor (One Battle After Another) guest judges.

Friday · 7 months ago

15. All RuPaul-A-Paruza Smackdown

All of the eliminated queens return to battle it out in a Lalaparuza lip sync smackdown, featuring all RuPaul songs, and a $50,000 cash prize.

Friday · 7 months ago

16. Grand Finale Finale

The top queens face off in an epic evening of performances and lip syncs, as they compete for a grand prize of $200,000. Superstar Miley Cyrus joins RuPaul on stage.

Friday · 6 months ago

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 guest stars

  • Carson Kressley

    Carson Kressley

    Self - Judge

  • Ross Mathews

    Ross Mathews

    Self - Judge

  • Leland

    Leland

    Self - Special Guest

  • Raja Gemini

    Raja Gemini

    Self - Special Guest

  • Ts Madison

    Ts Madison

    Self - Judge

  • Dove Cameron

    Dove Cameron

    Self - Guest Judge

  • Bob the Drag Queen

    Bob the Drag Queen

    Self - Special Guest

  • Alyssa Edwards

    Alyssa Edwards

    Self - Special Guest

  • Law Roach

    Law Roach

    Self - Judge

  • Athena Dion

    Athena Dion

    Self - Contestant

  • Briar Blush

    Briar Blush

    Self - Contestant

  • Ciara Myst

    Ciara Myst

    Self - Contestant

  • Darlene Mitchell

    Darlene Mitchell

    Self - Contestant

  • DD Fuego

    DD Fuego

    Self - Contestant

  • Discord Addams

    Discord Addams

    Self - Contestant

  • Jane Don't

    Jane Don't

    Self - Contestant

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 FAQ

When does RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 come out?

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 premiered Friday, January 2, 2026 on MTV.

How many episodes are in RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18?

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 has 16 episodes.

Are new episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 released weekly?

New episodes are released weekly.

When is the RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 finale?

The RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 finale (Episode 16) aired Friday, April 17, 2026.

How do I get notified when new RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 episodes are released?

Download the Streambay app and follow RuPaul's Drag Race. You'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is out.

Never miss RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18.

Download Streambay and follow RuPaul's Drag Race. We’ll notify you the moment Season 18 is released, and as each new episode comes out. It’s free, with no sign-up and no personal information required.

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