The first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is wrapping up this weekend. It isn’t the only Games of Thrones prequel in production, though, with House of the Dragon now poised to return to HBO. The story of the explosive Targaryen civil war left off on a massive cliffhanger nearly two years ago, setting up an even more bombastic forthcoming season.
If you are eagerly anticipating the return of the first blockbuster Game of Thrones spinoff series, here is everything you need to know about the upcoming season 3:
When does House of the Dragon season 3 come out?
HBO announced in November 2025 that House of the Dragon season 3 will hit the airwaves in summer 2026. As part of the same press release, the network greenlit season 4, pegging it for a 2028 release date.
Season 1 premiered on August 21, 2022, followed by season 2 on June 16, 2024. Season 3 is now confirmed to follow in season 2’s footsteps by coming out in June 2026, after the Emmy eligibility window closes on May 31. But while House of the Dragon will not go head-to-head with A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms at the Emmy Awards in September, they will both be eligible for the 2027 Golden Globes.
House of the Dragon is currently slated to end after its fourth season, according to both showrunner Ryan Condal and HBO CEO Casey Bloys.
(Warning: Spoilers for House of the Dragon seasons 1 + 2, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and Game of Thrones ahead.)
When will we get a trailer for House of the Dragon season 3?
The first teaser trailer for House of the Dragon season 3 will came out Thursday, February 19. The show’s social media accounts had been teasing a look at season 3 for several days before committing to a release date on Wednesday.
With only four months until the season 3 premiere, it was little late in the game to debut a first teaser for such a monumental show. The first teaser for House of the Dragon season 2 dropped in December 2023, six months ahead of the premiere. However, HBO likely didn’t want to overshadow A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms this time around, since it just premiered in January. Now that A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is gearing up for its season 1 finale on Sunday night, it made sense for the network to start laying the groundwork for what comes next in the franchise.
What will House of the Dragon season 3 be about?
Season 2 of House of the Dragon featured plenty of table-setting for the Targaryen civil war to come. There were major battles, like the one at Rook’s Rest, but a lot more wandering in castles, positioning troops and scouting out dragon-riders. By the end of the eight episodes, Rhaenyra and the Blacks lost Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, while picking up Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer and Ulf White to ride Seasmoke, Vermithor and Silverwing, respectively. That new trio will join Rhaenyra and Syrax, Daemon and Caraxes, Jace and Vermax and Baela and Moondancer, all while Rhaena tries to bond with Sheepstealer in the Vale.
As for the Greens, Alicent Hightower lost allies fast. Her father, Otto, was imprisoned by a mysterious captor. Her oldest son, King Aegon II, suffered life-threatening injuries and fled King’s Landing with her Master of Whispers, Larys Strong. Alicent’s second son – the sadistic, one-eyed Aemond – is now in charge. Even Alicent’s brother, Gwayne, and her lover, Ser Criston Cole, seem to regret how the war has played out. Aemond still has Vhagar, though, and Tyland Lannister just recruited the Triarchy powers from Essos to join their side.
By the end of House of the Dragon, some Targaryens will remain to rule Westeros. From Rhaenyra, Daemon and Aemond all the way down to Daenerys and Jon Snow, the family line will continue for at least 200 more years. For non-book-readers, though, which Targaryen line leads to Egg, for example, remains a mystery.
House of the Dragon FAQ
When does House of the Dragon season 3 come out?
Season 3 of House of the Dragon will premiere in June 2026. Seasons 1 and 2 came out in the summer, as well, back in 2022 and 2024.
Where can I catch up on House of the Dragon?
The show’s first two seasons are currently streaming on HBO Max. Season 3 will air on HBO and drop on HBO Max simultaneously.
What is House of the Dragon based on?
The show is an adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s of Fire & Blood novel, which he published in November 2018. Unlike the A Song of Ice and Fire series and the Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas, Fire & Blood is written as an in-universe historical recounting of events, rather than a story told from active characters’ real-time perspectives.
