The lead-up to The Block is exciting every year: new faces, new places, and just as many plot twists, and now the countdown is on for the launch of season 21.

Here are a few fun facts about the show that you may not know.

1. The Block airs in 170 territories around the world

Approximately 1.3 million Aussies tune in to watch The Block, but it turns out we’re not the only ones.

The show broadcasts in 170 territories globally: the world can’t get enough of the DIY fun, paired with our larrikin humour and “have a go” attitude.

Its popularity hasn’t waned since the show started in 2004. Back then, contestants renovated apartments in Sydney’s Bondi with combined auction profits of $443,000.

Now, The Block is in its 21st season and will air its 1000th episode in 2025.

Block 2024 winners Maddy and Charlotte with Adrian Portelli, who ended up buying all 5 houses for a total of $15.03 million. Photo: Nine

2. Around $38 million in prize money has been given away

For a quick refresher on how prize money works on the show, the winner takes home $100,000, while all contestants receive the amount their home sells for above the reserve.

In past seasons, this has had mixed results: some contestants have won record-breaking amounts while others have lost out.

Last year’s winners, Maddy and Charlotte, won $1.65 million; in 2023, Sydney couple Steph and Gian banked a whopping $1.75 million – the biggest Block win in history.

Call it the Adrian Portelli effect, but we don’t think it’s a coincidence that historical prize money amounts have been given away whenever the billionaire bidder gets involved.

On the other hand, sisters Amie and Katrina went home with nothing in 2011 and described their experience as “a waste of time”. In 2023, Dylan and Jenny’s house also didn’t sell on auction night, leaving them empty-handed.

3. Hundreds of contestants, rooms and homes built

In total, 103 properties have been renovated and auctioned since The Block first aired. Photo: Nine

Over the years, The Block has featured 186 contestants from all walks of life. From experienced renovators to fresh-faced amateurs hoping to ditch their day jobs, a range of everyday Aussies have fast become fan favourites and household names.

In total, 103 properties have been renovated and auctioned since The Block first aired. This has included a variety of homes, such as apartments, former hotels, and even a soap factory.

We’ve seen plenty of meltdowns on the hit show, especially in the bathroom and kitchen weeks – some of the most stressful rooms to renovate. Teams have built 210 bathrooms and 103 kitchens over 20 seasons.

4. A few Blockheads were (and are) sports stars

The renovating skills of this year’s contestants remain to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: if there’s a sports tournament to be had, the Blockheads will be more than qualified.

Contestant Robby is a long-time fan of the show and begged his best mate, Mat, to audition with him. He once played soccer in the National Premier League.

Taz, on the other hand, is most comfortable throwing around a footy, having moved to Perth to play in the West Australian Football League.

Emma was once a woodworking teacher before pursuing her passion for dance. Photo: Nine

The sporting prowess doesn’t stop there – Emma is one of Australia’s best pole dancers and teaches classes for a living. Supported by her husband, Ben, she runs an activewear business that caters to the pole dancing community.

“It’s such a great workout,” Emma says. “The students are anywhere between 13 and 70, and everyone comes together; it’s amazing.”

Past sporting alumni include former Collingwood player Darren Jolly, who competed in 2014 with his then-wife Dea before the couple returned in the following season to take out the win.

5. Homes will be built from scratch

For the first time, Blockheads will be building homes from the ground up – past seasons have seen contestants work with existing structures, or buildings moved to the site.

This year, the site sits within the Middleton Field project in Daylesford, with the homes designed by long-time Block architect Julian Brenchley.

When The Block starts and contestants arrive, they’ll be met with just the frames. Each house will be the same in layout and size, but you’ll notice prominent differences in the facades.

No power tools after 6pm: contestants will call it a day and relax in an on-site caravan. Photo: Nine

6. Tools down means tools down: no more all-nighters

After 6pm, the contestants can’t make building noise. That means no more painting at 3am, and no more power tools whirring into the small hours.

“If we catch some tradies or contestants making extra noise, we’ll either do a shutdown the next morning for an hour or two,” says foreman Dan Reilly. “Or if we’re in a good mood, we’ll pretend we didn’t hear it.”

This addition to The Block‘s rule book will hopefully help the Blockheads switch off after a long day, aiming to improve contestant mental health.

7. Host Scott Cam is now a grandfather

Host Scott Cam is a family man through and through. Photo: Nine

For Sydney-based host Scott Cam, filming The Block always entails packing his bag and moving to a new location to film for three months.

This year is a little different for the beloved TV personality, though – during filming, he became a grandfather for the first time.

Cam adores his family, which includes his wife, Ann, and their three children: Sarah, Billy and Charlie.

When he’s not being the face of The Block alongside co-host Shelley Craft, he loves spending time with Ann at their farm in Mudgee, NSW.