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Seven lines up big names, huge prizes and a property war twist as it takes on The Block in 2026.<\/p>\n
Channel 7 is raiding its rival\u2019s tool shed, and it\u2019s hard not to call it a Blockxodus.<\/p>\n
In a major reality TV shake-up, former The Block judge Neale Whitaker will front the 2026 season of My Reno Rules, jumping to Seven after more than a decade critiquing Nine\u2019s flagship renovation hit.
He was replaced by Whitefox chief executive Marty Fox in 2023, with Whitaker guest appearing in the 2023 and 2024 seasons respectively.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Block judge eyes bold US move<\/a><\/p>\n Affairs, lies and leaks: Block chaos exposed<\/a><\/p>\n Ch9 accidentally drops major Block secret<\/a><\/p>\n Joining him on the judging panel is Cohen Handler co-founder Simon Cohen \u2013 the same agency where fellow former Block buyers\u2019 advocate Nicole Jacobs is now managing director for Victoria.<\/p>\n Ms Jacobs famously sold<\/a> her own Hampton home, along with several of her neighbours\u2019 properties, to The Block in 2021.<\/p>\n Interiors stylist Julia Green completes the line-up, bringing her bold, magazine-perfect designs and industry clout from years at the helm of her Greenhouse Interiors brand.<\/p>\n \u201cLMCT+ founder Adrian Portelli, pictured with Block 2023 winners Stepha and Gian, will give away two multimillion-dollar homes in My Reno Rules\u2019 blockbuster 2026 finale. Picture: Nine<\/p>\n Earlier this month Seven announced LMCT+ founder Adrian \u201cLambo Guy\u201d Portelli is stepping in as principal sponsor and will take the spotlight in the show\u2019s live grand final.<\/p>\n Portelli made headlines last year splashing more than $27m on eight Block homes and gifting $50,000 to Sunrise host Alex Cullen in a stunt that ended the presenter\u2019s Nine career.<\/p>\n For My Reno Rules, he will give away two multimillion-dollar homes to viewers in a finale Seven is banking on to rival The Block\u2019s Sunday auction night event.<\/p>\n Industry sources say the 2026 season will see four teams transforming two rundown Melbourne homes under the watch of host Dr Chris Brown, competing for a major cash prize while viewers have the unprecedented chance to win one of the finished properties.<\/p>\n Nine\u2019s glamour spin-off Listing Melbourne struggled to connect with viewers before being axed. Picture: Nine<\/p>\n Whitaker\u2019s defection is the most high-profile of the moves, while Cohen\u2019s professional link to Jacobs ties the series even more closely to Nine\u2019s property empire.<\/p>\n The changes come as The Block faces its own challenges, with insiders pointing to softening property markets and the underperformance of spin-offs such as Listing Melbourne.<\/p>\n While that show tried to channel the glamour of Luxe Listings Sydney where Cohen was a central figure, it never connected with audiences.<\/p>\n Host Dr Chris Brown will steer four teams through two Melbourne home makeovers in a bid to rival The Block. Picture: David Caird<\/p>\n An industry insider told the Herald Sun there was \u201cplenty of curiosity\u201d about how the format will perform, but warned Seven faces a mammoth task.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople are interested, but The Block is a juggernaut, it\u2019s been unbeatable for years and My Reno Rules has existed in various forms for over a decade,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a big swing, but whether it lands is another story.<\/p>\n \u201cSeven\u2019s gamble is clear. Stack the line-up with personalities Block fans already know, add Portelli\u2019s high-octane profile, and hope the format finally hits its stride.\u201d<\/p>\n Mitre 10 is reportedly in talks to join My Reno Rules as a major sponsor, reclaiming renovation TV turf lost to Bunnings with The Block. Picture: Cameron Bates<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the source revealed Mitre 10 is reportedly in talks to come on board as a major sponsor after being shunned by The Block in favour of Bunnings this year.<\/p>\n A deal would give Seven another direct link to its rival\u2019s past, and the hardware chain a chance to reclaim prime time renovation turf it once dominated.<\/p>\n My Reno Rules will air on Channel 7 in 2026.<\/p>\n Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here <\/a>to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n MORE: \u2018F**king nice house\u2019 goes viral<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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