Major WWE SmackDown Change Planned For 2026

A major change to WWE Friday Night SmackDown is set to be made in 2026 according to a new backstage report.

After airing as a two hour program for much of its over 25 year history, SmackDown became a three hour show in early 2025, beginning with the first episode of the year on January 3, 2025.

SmackDown would remain three hours for the first half of the year, however, starting with the July 4 episode, the show reverted back to its two hour runtime, a change that has remained in place ever since.

However, with 2026 around the corner it appears as if WWE and USA Network are set to make a change to SmackDown’s runtime yet again, with WrestleVotes reporting via Twitter that the blue brand will return to being a three hour program as of the first episode of 2026 on Friday, January 2.

WrestleVotes’ tweet reads:

According to sources, WWE and USA Network have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY.

Neither USA Network nor WWE has yet to officially announce this change as of the time of writing, however, we will provide further updates if they do so.

Tonight’s episode of SmackDown will take place in Albany, New York and will feature the continuation of John Cena’s Last Time is Now tournament, with Jey Uso set to take on The Miz and LA Knight set to square off with a mystery opponent.

According to sources, WWE and USA Network have decided to move SmackDown back to three hours, beginning with the January 2nd show from Buffalo, NY.

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) November 14, 2025