‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Season 18 Episode 9 Release Date, Time, Where to Watch and Preview
‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ returned this summer with an expanded ten episode season, up from eight episodes in each of the previous three seasons. With the Gang now well into the run, attention is turning to the next installment. The ninth episode is due to premiere on October 5.
This guide covers when the latest ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ episode arrives, what time it airs and where viewers can stream it. It also looks at the story ahead, which puts the bar’s owners in charge of a youth baseball team.
Release Date for the Next Episode
The episode is scheduled for October 5, 2026, and it carries the title “Frank’s Team” with the subtitle “A Dark Day for Baseball.” That places it one week after the current installment.
The eighth episode, titled “Mac and Dennis Tear Their ACLs,” is set to premiere today, September 28. Viewers who are caught up will not have long to wait for the next one.
FX and Hulu are releasing one new episode weekly, with the run continuing through October 12. That means only one episode follows the upcoming one before the season wraps.
Release Time and Broadcast Schedule
The season premiere aired at nine o’clock Eastern and six o’clock Pacific on FXX, FX and Hulu. Since the season has moved to a weekly release, that premiere slot is the best guide to when new episodes land. Viewers should still confirm the exact time in their local listings for October 5.
The TV Ratings Guide reported that the series ticked up in the Monday ratings tied to its September 7 episode. That suggests steady interest as the season moves toward its final stretch.
Filming on the season began in February 2026 and wrapped in April 2026. The ten episode order also marks the first season of that length since 2019.
Where to Watch on FX, FXX and Hulu
The season premiered simultaneously on FXX and FX, and episodes have next day availability on the FXNOW website and Hulu. Viewers who prefer live television can catch each episode on either channel when it airs.
Earlier seasons and new episodes stream on Hulu as they drop, including through Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers. Anyone who wants to revisit the Gang’s history before the next episode has a full library to work from.
Outside the United States, the show streams on Disney+. Reelgood notes that the new season is available on that service in select countries, including Australia and Canada.
Story Preview and What the Gang Faces
In the upcoming episode, Paddy’s sponsors a local Little League team in an effort to improve the bar’s reputation. The Gang quickly takes over and pushes the young players toward a win at all costs approach. It is a familiar setup for the show, in which a scheme meant to repair the pub’s image turns into another test of the group’s worst instincts.
Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Rob Mac, Kaitlin Olson and Danny DeVito all return as the core cast. The season trailer teased Renaissance faire shenanigans and a wedding, along with appearances from other favorite characters. The baseball storyline slots in alongside a season that has already covered a wedding, a Renaissance faire and a group road trip.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds a 100% approval rating based on ten reviews. Reviewing the premiere for IndieWire, the critic wrote that the opening episode lives up to the gross promise of its title before the second episode goes further. Critics appear to agree that the show is still comfortable in its own bad taste.
A youth sports storyline gives the writers plenty of room to test how far Frank and the rest of the Gang will push kids in the name of a win. If you think the group’s coaching methods will finally cost them Paddy’s reputation, or if you believe the bar will somehow come out ahead, tell us how you expect “Frank’s Team” to play out in the comments.
