It’s the end of an era, but we’re getting one more season to say goodbye. All American, The CW’s hit sports drama, is officially coming back for an eighth and final season.
While fans were thrilled to hear the show would return, the announcement that it will be the last season has definitely made it bittersweet. Still, if there’s one thing All American has always been about, it’s finishing strong.
Ever since its 2018 debut, All American has given us more than just touchdowns and Hail Marys. Inspired by the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, the show has been a cultural staple, mixing football with everyday issues like identity, loyalty, family, and community.
While Daniel Ezra’s Spencer James was the heart of the early seasons, the show evolved over time, especially as major characters moved on. The torch was passed to the likes of Michael Evans Behling (Jordan), Greta Onieogou (Layla), and Bre-Z (Coop), proving that All American wasn’t just one player; it was the whole team.
Season 7 ended on a cliffhanger. Luckily, we won’t be left hanging.
Season 8 is confirmed to air in 2026 and will consist of 13 episodes. Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll released a heartfelt statement, calling the show’s run a “love letter” and expressing gratitude to fans, cast, and crew.
“My heart is so filled with love and gratitude for everyone who helped bring All American to life,” Carroll said. “It is so hard to say goodbye to the thing that you love, but we are so excited we get to do it in the way we envisioned with this final season.”
She gave a special shoutout to Spencer Paysinger, whose journey sparked this whole series, and to fans who’ve taken Spencer James’s mantra “Dream Big. Stay Real.” and turned it into a personal mission.
It’s worth noting that All American now stands as the last remaining pre-Nexstar scripted series on The CW. That makes this final season not only the end of a beloved show but also the closing chapter of a certain era of CW storytelling. With the network now pivoting more toward unscripted and sports content, All American feels like the last real OG holding it down.
Final season airs in 2026. Get ready.
