WWE SmackDown Officially Returning To Three-Hour Format In 2026 – The long-rumored expansion of WWE SmackDown has now been confirmed, as the company announced during tonight’s broadcast that the blue brand will officially return to a three-hour format beginning in 2026. The announcement was made on-air by Michael Cole and Corey Graves at the commentary desk, putting weeks of speculation to rest.

According to the broadcast, the first three-hour episode of WWE SmackDown will air on January 2, 2026, when the show emanates from Buffalo, New York. This marks a significant shift for the weekly program, which has traditionally been presented as a two-hour show for much of its history.

Rumors surrounding the potential change had been circulating for several weeks, with industry insiders suggesting that WWE was considering a permanent expansion. While SmackDown has long been associated with a two-hour runtime, the company has shown a willingness to experiment with longer formats in recent years. Earlier this year, WWE temporarily moved SmackDown to three hours for the first half of 2025, testing audience response and overall presentation.

That experiment came to an end in July, when SmackDown reverted back to its familiar two-hour structure. At the time, the move was widely viewed as a return to normalcy rather than a rejection of the expanded format. With this new announcement, it is now clear that WWE sees long-term value in the three-hour model and is prepared to commit to it moving forward.

The decision aligns SmackDown more closely with RAW, which has remained a three-hour show for over a decade. A longer runtime provides WWE with additional flexibility for in-ring action, storyline development, and deeper roster utilization. It also opens the door for more consistent exposure for mid-card talent and women’s division storylines, which have often been compressed under shorter formats.

As WWE continues to expand its global footprint and maximize broadcast opportunities, the move to a three-hour SmackDown represents another step in the company’s evolving television strategy. WrestlingAttitude.Com will continue to monitor reactions and any further details as the January 2026 debut approaches.

WWE SmackDown Officially Returning To Three-Hour Format In 2026

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