The 'Bachelor Winter Games' are almost here!
The Bachelor Winter Games are almost here!
The powers that be (ABC) have been surprisingly tight-lipped since announcing the new series in May. That is until Monday, when they delivered a huge press release filled with all the important details.
The show, which was pitched as a competition between Bachelor and Bachelorette favorites in winter-themed athletic challenges -- all while living together at a “luxurious” winter resort -- sets out to discover whether love is the universal language. And judging by the cast's headshots, it just might be the case.
From when the show will air to who will be returning, we've got you covered. Check out everything we know about Winter Games below.
When Will It Air?
Winter Games premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and will air Thursday, Feb. 15 and Tuesday Feb. 20, before holding its finale on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Where Is It Held?
Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss tweeted in August that "the 2018 Winter Games have been awarded to the great state of Vermont!!!" -- which a press release later confirmed, specifying that the show was shot in Manchester.
Which Bachelor Alums Will Be Competing?
Fleiss teased on Twitter that the almost-Bachelor, Peter Kraus, would be "looking for love" on Winter Games, but unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's panned out. Dean Unglert, meanwhile, played coy about heading out to Vermont for the show when ET spoke with him in early December -- but the next day, disappeared from social media.
Fans in Vermont, however, had their cameras ready, as they snapped pics of the cast during what looks like their opening ceremony.
Bachelor favorites Corinne Olympios and Wells Adams, meanwhile, told ET that they would not be participating.
On the international side, ABC has confirmed that 14 international Bachelors and Bachelorettes will be joining the show. See the full cast list below.
USA Men
Ben, 29, The Bachelor Season 20 – USA
Dean, 26, The Bachelorette Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay) – USA
Eric, 29, The Bachelorette Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay) – USA
Jamey, 33, The Bachelorette Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay) – USA
Josiah, 29, The Bachelorette Season 13 (Rachel Lindsay) – USA
Luke, 33, The Bachelorette Season 12 (JoJo Fletcher) – USA
Michael, 37, The Bachelorette Season 9 (Desiree Hartsock Siegfried) – USA
USA Women
Ashley I., 29, The Bachelor Season 19 (Chris Soules) – USA
Clare, 36, The Bachelor Season 18 (Juan Pablo Galavis) – USA
Lesley, 30, The Bachelor Season 17 (Sean Lowe) – USA
International Men
Benoit, 31, The Bachelorette Season 1 – Canada
Christian, 34, The Bachelorette Season 1 – Switzerland and Germany
Courtney, 31, The Bachelorette Season 2 – Australia
Jordan, 34, The Bachelor Season 2 – New Zealand
Kevin, 33, The Bachelorette Season 1 – Canada
International Women
Ally, 24, The Bachelor Season 3 – New Zealand
Jenny, 34, The Bachelor Season 1 – Finland
Laura, 29, The Bachelor Season 1 – United Kingdom
Lily, 21, The Bachelor Season 3 – New Zealand
Nastassia, 26, The Bachelor Season 3 – Sweden
Rebecca, 26, The Bachelor Season 3 – Sweden
Tiffany, 31, The Bachelor Season 4 – Australia
Yuki, 21, The Bachelor Season 1 – Japan
Zoe, 25, The Bachelor Season 1 – China
Will They Really Be Playing Sports?
"We will not see them do anything athletic on this show, but they will be attempting," Mills joked of the series on Bachelor Live, noting that contestants did participate in at least some real winter sports.
"Yesterday was downhill skiing. I did hear Dean was a bit of a show boat-er, and was skiing backwards for part of it," he explained. "There is some physical ability to some of these people."
Who Else Will Be on the Show?
Bachelor host Chris Harrison will of course be returning for the series, while Fleiss confirmed that ESPN's Hannah Storm will be commentating. KABC's Ashley Brewer will also appear on the how, as well as figure skating champions Nancy Kerrigan, Tai Babilonia and Randy Gardner.
"Sneak peek at @chrisbharrison snazzy wardrobe for @bachelorabc Winter Games!" Storm posted on Instagram alongside a pic of Harrison.
Which Bachelor Alums Will Make Appearances?
Ryan Sutter appeared in an Instagram pic with Harrison and Storm, leading fans to believe that he and Trista will have some sort of involvement in the show. Fellow Bachelor couple Sean and Catherine Lowe, meanwhile, revealed to ET that they were going to be a part of it, but ended up backing out. According to Monday's press release, the Sutters will be making an appearance, alongside Arie Luyendyk Jr., Rachel Lindsay and JoJo Fletcher.
Are There Any Real Love Connections?
That's definitely the goal, and for some (cough cough, Dean Unglert), it seems to have worked.
"He, so far, has a very interesting story arc here," Mills teased on Bachelor Live, while fans have spotted Unglert and Lesley Murphy engaging in a fair amount of PDA.
Besides Unglert, fans can expect "a ton of legitimate romance," Mills continued, promising that "international romances [have] formed."
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