Project Runway season 22 premiered Thursday, July 9, 2026, on Freeform, and every episode streams the next day on both Hulu and Disney+ — with Heidi Klum back as host and head judge, Nina Garcia and Law Roach at the judges' table, Tyra Banks joining as a recurring judge, and Christian Siriano returning as mentor. The 10-episode season airs weekly through the finale on September 10, 2026, and features a record-breaking 22 designers, the largest cast the show has ever fielded.

Premiere Date and Full Episode Schedule

Season 22 kicked off with an extended 90-minute premiere at 9:30 p.m. ET on Freeform — the super-sized runtime was needed to introduce all 22 designers. Episode 2 (July 16) is also a 90-minute installment at 9:30 p.m. ET, and from episode 3 onward the show settles into its regular Thursday 10 p.m. ET slot. There are 10 episodes total, same as last season. Here is every air date:

  • Episode 1: July 9 (aired — the first challenge sent three designers home)
  • Episode 2: July 16 (90 minutes, 9:30 p.m. ET)
  • Episodes 3–5: July 23, July 30, August 6
  • Episodes 6–8: August 13, August 20, August 27
  • Episode 9: September 3
  • Episode 10 (finale): September 10, 2026

Where to Watch Project Runway Season 22

The watch pattern is simple: Freeform first, streaming the next day. Each episode airs Thursday night on cable network Freeform, then lands on Hulu and Disney+ on Friday. You do not need cable — a subscription to either Hulu or Disney+ gets you the full season one day behind broadcast, and Disney+ has its own dedicated season 22 hub promoting the show. This dual-streaming setup reflects Disney's merged app strategy, with Hulu content now living inside Disney+ in the US.

The Judges: Heidi Klum Leads, Tyra Banks Joins

The panel that rebooted the show last season is intact, with one big addition:

  • Heidi Klum — host and head judge, back in the role she originated in 2004
  • Nina Garcia — Elle editor-in-chief and the only judge to appear in every season
  • Law Roach — the celebrity "image architect" who joined the panel in season 21
  • Tyra Banks — new this season as a recurring judge
  • Christian Siriano — season 4 winner, returning as the designers' mentor

Guest judges across the season include Ciara, Nina Dobrev, Kiernan Shipka, Niecy Nash-Betts and Ice Spice.

The Contestants: A Record 22 Designers

Season 22's cast of 22 is the biggest in franchise history. The full lineup: Aaron Potts, Andrea Moore, Andrew "Plane Jane" Dunayevskiy, Andriy Volkov, Anna Molinari, Bao Tranchi, Bi Pham, Bryan Barrientos, Chloe Magleby, Dani Bennett, Elizabeth Shevelev, Jeffrey Kelly Abess, Jennifer Daniels, Joseph McRae, Jude Mikulencak, Naheim Muhammad, Octavius Terry, Omolara "LRÉ" Odupita, R'Bonney Nola, Robert "Q" Crone, Varvara "Bobby" Diakonenkova and Yangyang Xu.

Several arrive with a following: Plane Jane and Robert "Q" Crone are RuPaul's Drag Race alums, R'Bonney Nola is Miss Universe 2022, Bao Tranchi competed on Next in Fashion season 2, and Joseph McRae returns after competing in season 21.

What's New This Season

Beyond the super-sized cast, the winner's package stays substantial: $200,000 in cash, an editorial feature in Elle magazine, a mentorship through the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and professional representation to launch their brand. Tyra Banks' recurring seat adds a supermodel-era wrinkle to the panel, and the celebrity guest-judge slate leans younger and more pop-facing than the Bravo years. With 22 designers and only 10 episodes, eliminations come fast — the premiere alone cut three.

From Bravo to Disney+: The Show's Platform Journey

Project Runway has now called four homes in 22 seasons. It launched on Bravo in 2004, moved to Lifetime in 2009 for the Weinstein Company era, returned to Bravo in 2019 (the Karlie Kloss/Christian Siriano years), and jumped to Disney's Freeform/Hulu/Disney+ ecosystem with season 21 in July 2025 — the move that brought Heidi Klum back as host. Season 22's renewal confirmed Disney sees the fashion competition as a streaming tentpole, part of a broader push into buzzy unscripted and prestige TV alike — for more on that pipeline, see our Geena Davis HBO drama coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When does Project Runway season 22 come out?

It premiered Thursday, July 9, 2026, on Freeform. New episodes air Thursdays (10 p.m. ET from episode 3) through the finale on September 10, 2026, streaming next day on Hulu and Disney+.

Where can I watch Project Runway 2026?

On Freeform Thursday nights, or on Hulu and Disney+ the following day. Either streaming service carries every episode — no cable required.

Who are the judges on Project Runway season 22?

Heidi Klum (host and head judge), Nina Garcia and Law Roach, with Tyra Banks as a recurring judge and Christian Siriano as mentor. Guest judges include Ciara, Nina Dobrev, Kiernan Shipka, Niecy Nash-Betts and Ice Spice.

How many episodes is Project Runway season 22?

10 episodes, airing weekly from July 9 to September 10, 2026. The first two are extended 90-minute episodes.