Love Island launch night kicks off with a bang as Maya Jama reveals a new twist that will ‘rock the villa’

Love Island 2026 kicks off with a bang tonight as host Maya Jama reveals a new twist that will “shock the villa”.

For the first time in history, the popular ITV show will kick off the night with 12 new sexy bachelorettes ready to heat up the heat with a special welcome party under the stars.

After spending their first night at the luxury abode, Maya makes a surprise return to announce that a big change is on the horizon, which was revealed at the end of Monday’s launch episode.

The series will open with the islanders entering and introducing themselves; viewers will learn that some of the cast have been single all their lives, one Islander can speak four languages, and one Islander was falsely arrested by a former detective.

While they sit around At Sundeck, it’s time for the night’s highly anticipated arrival: host Maya.

He approaches the contestants and says: ‘It’s still early at night, so who wants to play a little party game to get things started?’

For the first time in history, the hit ITV show kicks off with 12 sexy new bachelorettes ready to bring the heat with a special welcome party under the stars once the sun goes down (pictured Ope and Lola)

Maya then interrogates the islanders with a series of questions that include plenty of dramatic and shocking revelations.

Then it starts the merging process and this time They do things differently…

After a major change occurs, Maya asks: ‘Will you play it safe, or will you step out of your comfort zone for the right person?’

In true Love Island fashion, things get interesting right off the bat, with multiple Islanders vying for the same person.

Maya encourages them: ‘Remember that you are all here to find that person, so don’t hesitate.’

After much thought, the first six couples are created, but some remain happier than others.

The islanders are then left alone for the rest of the night to get to know each other better.

However, Maya comes outside the villa without wasting time to get her vaccinations in the morning. to uncover a secret development that will ‘completely shake the villa’.

Once the islanders log in and introduce themselves, viewers will discover that some of the cast members have been single their entire lives (Sean, pictured)

Ellie and Sam spotted arriving at the villa

Aidan and Mica hug each other when they arrive

Robyn and Samraj look away as they enter the villa

Lorenzo and Angelista come together

Then it’s time for the much-anticipated arrival of the night – host Maya Jama

After a big change occurs, Maya asks: ‘Are you going to play it safe or step outside your comfort zone for the right person?’

This year the villa underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment, filling it with more designer goods and more beds than ever before, making room for more bombshells to shake things up.

The islanders are eagerly waiting to enter the villa where they will be filming for the next eight weeks and where they will live very close to each other, which is sure to create tension among the newly singles.

The villa is located in the middle of nowhere, with single-track roads leading to the front door, guarded by security to keep trespassers out.

On arrival, islanders will proceed along a wooden walkway through a giant chrome heart to enter their new home, where they will have access to a selection of designer clothing and a selection of double beds to share with their new partner on the first night.

Speaking to the Daily Mail from their villa in Mallorca, producers Amanda Stavri and Lewis Evans said: ‘There are more beds and with more beds come more bombs!’

And if the contestants make it through and want some alone time away from their fellow islanders (but still on camera) to spice up their romance, they can head to the dazzling hideaway.

It’s been given a fresh look with baby pink and teal walls, gold accessories, and its own outdoor terrace with a sexy swing and plunge pool, perfect for romantic dates.

TV producers will stock Hideaway wardrobes with sex toys and lingerie, ensuring saucy action under the sheets.

Love Island has teamed up again with eBay as series sponsor to combat fast fashion and provide contestants with coveted outfits.

Inside the bright blue dressing room is an impressive wardrobe with Prada, Dior and Louis Vuitton bags, as well as chic heels and sneakers.

This leads to the beautifying bedrooms, where the Islanders achieve glam with the help of luxury hair dryers and endless amounts of make-up products.

The dating show returns on Monday, June 1, with a new batch of hopeful singles trying to find their kind on paper

Elsewhere, the garden has received quite a makeover, with the famous fire pit repainted blue for the new range.

The rest of the islanders’ holiday home followed a pink and green theme, with a kitchen and lounge area ready for use.

The freezer is already stocked with Solero ice cream, which recently collaborated with host Maya, while the fridge is also stocked with American soft drink brand Poppi.

The iconic villa has undergone many changes over the years and has always been based in Mallorca.

The original Love Island villa used in the first two series was located in Santanyi, Majorca.

The five-bedroom villa was purchased by a mysterious buyer in March 2022.

The next villa, currently used for show purposes, is located in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Mallorca, on the east coast of the island.

The villa underwent a major renovation after filming for the 2022 series wrapped, with a secret new Hideaway revealed in 2024 that requires no ‘invite’.

There is also a 20-metre swimming pool, comfortable lounge chairs and daybeds, and the famous fire pit.

There is also the famous terrace where secret conversations usually take place, but this year the fences around it have been made shorter and smaller, making it easier for other islanders to notice what is happening there.

Fans of the series can even book a stay in the villa, but it won’t be cheap.

A week’s holiday will set you back around £5,000, but anyone booking the property will have access to six bedrooms.

The dating show returns on Monday, June 1, with a group of hopeful singles trying to find their kind on paper.

Maya, who has just finished filming The Celebrity Traitors, will return to host the series and has promised viewers there will be many more surprises in store this year.

Love Island 2026 returns on Monday, June 1 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

LOVE ISLAND 2026: MEET THE ISLANDS

J.asmin

Age: 27

Work: Fashion Business Owner

From: Dubai (lives in London)

How do you plan to manage the competition? ‘Regards, which competition?’

aidan

Age: 23

Work: Real Estate Broker

From: City

Type on paper: ‘I can’t say I have a solid type on paper. Personality is the most important thing to me.’

Lorenzo

Age: 28

Work: Business Owner

From: hertfordshire

Are you here for the drama or is your sole purpose to find love? ‘I think drama is fun! All is fair in love and war as long as no one cries. It will be interesting to see what emerges…’

Sam

Age: 25

Work: Electrician

From: dudley

How do you plan to manage the competition? ‘I’ve never had to race before so it’ll be interesting. ‘I know what I bring to the table and I’m confident in what I can offer.’

samraj

Age: 25

Work: Model

From: Birmingham

What is your relationship strategy? Should you go straight for the goal or play it safe? ‘To avoid seeming arrogant, I don’t chase much in the outside world, I’m used to girls coming to me.’

Sean

Age: 25

Work: Primary School Teacher

From: Galway

How do you plan to manage the competition? ‘If I see someone I like, I go after them and nothing can stop me.’

George

Age: 28

Work: professional football player

From: winchester

Type on paper: ‘They’re tanned brunettes, quite minimalist looking, don’t wear much make-up, dress really well, are funny, charismatic, all of that.’

Jasmine

Age: 23

Work: Recruitment Consultant

From: City

How do you plan to manage the competition? ‘There is no competition. ‘I’m a girl’s girl, but when it comes to what I want, I’ll have to go after it!’

ope

Age: 27

Work: West-Last Performer

From: lincolnshire

How do you manage the competition? ‘No one can surpass me. I am so confident in my ability to do my job. I’m not being phased, I’m not being impersonated, I’m not being threatened.’

Mica

Age: 21

Work: Student

From: Barbados (lives in London)

Are you here for the drama or is your sole purpose to find love? ‘I will deal with both of the things I feel. Frankly, it’s all about finding love and that will be my main goal. I’m not saying I’m going to start drama, but if there’s a drama going on, I’m obviously a bit nosy and want to know what’s going on.’

Lola

Age: 28

Work: Detective

FRUM: City

If VAR reviewed your flirting game, which foul would earn you a red card? ‘I may be a bit of a brat, I’m really hungry! If you feed me, I’ll be fine.’

Angelista

Age: 24

Work: Nurse

From: Staffordshire

What kind of person do you hope doesn’t walk through the door of your villa? ‘Someone who always wants to be in front of everyone, always wants to be the center of attention, this is too bad! ‘I don’t like someone who is disgusting.’

Ellie

Age: 24

Work: Real Estate Videographer

From: West Lothian

Type on paper: ‘Simple… tall, dark and handsome. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s a classic for a reason. ‘Nice teeth, nice tattoos, also fond of blonde.’

Robin

Age: 21

Work: Quantity Surveyor and DJ

From: Liverpool

In your love life so far, have you won the World Cup or been eliminated in the first round? ‘I feel like the right person hasn’t come yet. That’s the only reason I didn’t qualify, not because I couldn’t do it.