Season 26 Plot
Following an emotional and tear-stained exit from season 18 of “The Bachelorette,” Clayton Echard steps into the role of “The Bachelor” for season 26, kicking off the series’ landmark 20th year.
The Bachelor Season 26 aired on January 3rd, 2022.
Season 26 Episodes
1. Week 1
Clayton Echard's journey to find love kicks off; 31 women arrive and try to make a good first impressions for the man they hope could be their future husband; a shocking franchise first has Clayton clutching a rose and questioning everything.
2. Week 2
In the group date, Hilary Duff enlists the help of the ladies to throw a dream Beverly Hills birthday party; Amanda Jordan performs for Clayton and his one-on-one date; Ziwe stops by the second group date to help Clayton spot potential red flags.
3. Week 3
Clayton confronts one of the women about a shocking rumor involving her; Kaitlyn Bristowe pays a surprise visit, leading an emotional date where Clayton and the women bravely open up about their insecurities; actress Nicole Eggert coaches the ladies.
4. Week 4
Clayton tries to help Shanae and Elizabeth settle their dispute; a Texas-style family barbecue is followed by a musical performance by country band Restless Road; special guests Jonathan Greenard and Kamu Grugier-Hill coach the ladies.
5. Week 5
Clayton and one lucky woman head to Galveston, Texas, for a high-stakes date; Clayton learns the cause of the palpable tension in the house is really one woman; those on a group date take some heat from comedy legend Russell Peters.
6. Week 6
Clayton must decide between Genevieve and Shanae; the journey to find love heads overseas to Hvar, Croatia, where one woman reveals a shocking secret; the rest of the ladies battle each other in knightly challenges for a chance at a rose.
7. Week 7
Sarah is intent on finding out which of the ladies tried to take her down; the group travels to Vienna, Austria; Clayton and the women have an intimate couples' therapy session; one of the most heartbreaking rose ceremonies of the season.
8. Week 8
Clayton visits the hometowns of his final four women to meet their families and immerse himself in each of the ladies' lives.
9. The Women Tell All
Clayton's former flames reunite to hash out their differences, clear up any misunderstandings and apologize -- or not -- for bad behavior; a few special surprises and bloopers.
10. Week 9: Fantasy Suites
Clayton and the three remaining ladies travel to Iceland, where they each enjoy passionate dates; one woman's questions send Clayton reeling.
11. Week 10 Part 1: Season Finale
After a heartbreaking and unexpected breakup with Susie, Clayton finds himself questioning everything as he heads into the rose ceremony; Clayton drops devastating news on the final two women.
12. Week 10 Part 2: After the Final Rose
Clayton faces the three women he fell in love with; Jesse Palmer guides emotional conversations throughout the evening as the bombshell conclusion to Clayton's season plays out.
