The new year will start with a long wait for fans of CBS’s hit drama FBI. Following the major two-part fall finale, Season 8 has officially gone on its mid-season break. The next new episode, Episode 11, will not air for over two months, returning to the schedule in late February 2026 .
The official word from CBS confirms that new episodes of FBI will return on Monday, February 23, 2026. The show will keep its regular time slot, airing at 9:00 PM Eastern Time and 8:00 PM Central Time . The lengthy break is a strategic scheduling move by the network, allowing the show to avoid direct competition with major televised events like the Winter Olympics in February .
In the meantime, the network will fill the Monday night slot with encore presentations of past episodes .
The confirmed return date and time
CBS has set the official premiere date for the next chapter of Season 8. Episode 11, titled “Sanctuary,” is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026. It will air in its standard one-hour slot beginning at 9:00 PM ET/PT and 8:00 PM CT on the CBS broadcast network .
This date marks a notably long hiatus for the series. The previous episode, Episode 10 “Wolf Pack (2),” aired on Monday, December 15, 2025, and served as the season’s fall finale. This creates a gap of more than nine weeks before the story continues, one of the show’s longest mid-season breaks .
How and where to watch the new episode
When FBI returns, viewers will have multiple options to watch the latest case. The primary method is watching the live broadcast on the CBS television network at the listed time .
For cord-cutters and on-demand viewers, the episode will be available for streaming on Paramount+. Subscribers can watch the episode live as it airs on CBS or stream it on-demand shortly after the broadcast concludes . The series is also available for purchase through digital retailers like Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home .
What to expect from the upcoming episode
While CBS has not released an official plot description for Episode 11 “Sanctuary,” the fall finale left several character storylines in need of resolution. The two-part finale focused on a coordinated terrorist attack in New York City, which personally impacted Supervisory Special Agent Jubal Valentine (played by Jeremy Sisto) when his son, Tyler, was critically injured in one of the blasts . His son’s recovery will likely be a focal point when the show returns.
Other lingering personal stories include the fallout from OA Zidan’s (Zeeko Zaki) recent breakup with his girlfriend, Gemma, who confessed to an emotional affair . Fans are also eager for updates on the personal life of Special Agent Stuart Scola (John Boyd) and his family with fellow agent Nina Chase .
The core investigative team, led by Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille (Alana de la Garza) and including Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and SSA Omar Adom “OA” Zidan (Zeeko Zaki), will return to tackle a new high-stakes case .
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Why the show is on a long break
The extended hiatus is a common network television strategy. CBS has scheduled this pause to avoid pitting FBI against major ratings giants. February 2026 is dominated by the Winter Olympics, which will air on NBC. By waiting until after the Olympics conclude, CBS ensures FBI returns to a more normal competitive landscape and can maintain consistent weekly episodes without further interruptions .
The show’s return also serves a special purpose for CBS’s schedule. On February 23, FBI will be the lead-in program for the series premiere of the new Dick Wolf spin-off, CIA, starring Tom Ellis, which will air immediately afterward at 10:00 PM ET .
The network has already renewed FBI for a ninth season, confirming its continued importance to their lineup .
