The Block is reportedly undergoing one of the biggest behind-the-scenes changes in the show’s history, leading the crew to label the upcoming season “more MAFS than renovating”.
The show’s 2026 instalment will see a major shake-up to the contestants’ living situations, with the faces of the show no longer residing on-site during production.
Industry insiders claim the shift has significantly changed the atmosphere of the long-running renovation series as filming continues on the upcoming season in Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula.
Sources familiar with production allege contestants are now being housed together in off-site accommodation rather than living in active construction zones throughout filming, similar to the housing of Nine’s Married At First Sight participants.
The arrangement is understood to have been introduced partly in response to the demanding production schedule and increasing focus on contestant wellbeing and, according to insiders, the change has noticeably altered the energy of the series.
“The contestants are far more rested this year,” one production source told SkyNews.com.au, adding: “They’re arriving to filming much more polished and camera-ready compared to previous seasons.”
For years, The Block became known for showing exhausted contestants living among building materials, unfinished rooms and late-night renovation chaos.
However, sources claim contestants are now spending time focusing on fitness, grooming and socialising away from the construction site once filming concludes for the day.
“They’re no longer going back to dusty building sites every night,” an insider claimed.
“There’s a very different atmosphere compared to the older seasons.”
Despite the lifestyle changes, industry figures have assured fans that the level of conflict between the contestants has not diminished.
In fact, sources allege producers are continuing to lean heavily into interpersonal dynamics, alliances and cast tensions throughout the season.
“There’s still a huge amount of drama,” one source claimed, adding: “The arguments and personality clashes are absolutely still there.”
Some production insiders believe the evolving storytelling style is beginning to place greater emphasis on cast relationships and personalities alongside the renovation component of the competition.
Industry sources claim this reflects a broader shift occurring across reality television as networks increasingly prioritise social media engagement and personality-driven casting.
“There’s still renovating at the centre of the show,” one insider alleged.
“But there’s definitely a larger focus now on the contestants themselves and how they interact with each other.”
Internally, some of the crew are joking that it feels “more MAFS than renovating,” with one well-placed source adding: “Could I see some of these women on MAFS? Yeah, probably.”
However, it is “the intensity of the conflict and emotional resolution playing out off-site” that really pays homage to the Nine dating show, according to the insider.
“There’s obviously no dinner parties in Mt Eliza but production are filming at the contestants’ after hours,” one person behind the scenes noted, adding that there have reportedly been blow-ups, tears and relationship tensions, themes that have become synonymous with the MAFS format.
Several participants are already believed to be emerging as major personalities internally, with sources claiming producers expect strong audience reactions to multiple cast members throughout the season.
The Block’s 22nd season is expected to air later this year in September.