Married At First Sight has always thrived on chaos – but the 2026 season is fast becoming one of the most troubled in the show’s history.

Daily Mail can reveal that a record number of cast members have either walked out or are on the verge of giving up on their ‘marriages’ – with several already spotted leaving One Global Resorts in Sydney, suitcases packed, and heading interstate for the weekend instead of working on their relationships.

Relationship expert John Aiken has warned participants against bailing too soon when the spark doesn’t come instantly.

‘For couples who aren’t feeling it straight away, my advice is always to lean in, stay open and give it a chance,’ Aiken told Daily Mail.

‘It’s easy to walk away, but the experiment is about pushing through discomfort and testing yourself in ways that might surprise you.’

Despite this guidance, several participants have already been seen packing their bags and fleeing interstate, with producers scrambling to keep the experiment on track.

Married At First Sight has always thrived on chaos – but the 2026 season is fast becoming one of the most troubled in the show’s history. (Pictured: Melissa Akbay)

Daily Mail can reveal that a record number of cast members have either walked out or are on the verge of quitting (Pictured: Beck Zacharia and Danny Hewitt)

Insiders say the pressure cooker experiment has left participants struggling to cope – and for some, the promise of instant fame simply no longer seems worth it.

‘A lot of the cast thought they could come on, get their blue tick, build a following and launch careers as influencers,’ one source told Daily Mail this week.

‘The reality is very different – the conditions are brutal, the restrictions are tighter than ever, and the emotional toll has been enormous.’

Several participants, insiders claim, treat the experiment as a stepping stone to social media stardom rather than a genuine chance at love – a mindset producers believe is fuelling the breakdowns and walkouts.

‘They’re being reminded constantly that this is not an easy ride,’ another source added. ‘The pressure is intense, and some just can’t hack it.’

Digital Marketing expert and PR strategist Adrian Falk says the walkouts highlight how much the fame game has changed – and why MAFS contestants are under more pressure than ever.

‘Married At First Sight is still the number-one rating show in the country, drawing audiences larger than almost anything else on Australian TV,’ Falk told Daily Mail.

‘But the landscape has shifted dramatically. Once upon a time, appearing on MAFS guaranteed instant celebrity status – brand deals, red carpets, social followings. Now, contestants are finding that it’s not as simple.

Speaking to Daily Mail, Relationship expert John Aiken has warned participants against bailing too soon when the spark doesn’t come instantly

‘For couples who aren’t feeling it straight away, my advice is always to lean in, stay open and give it a chance,’ Aiken told Daily Mail. (Pictured: Alissa Fay and David Momoh)

‘It’s easy to walk away, but the experiment is about pushing through discomfort and testing yourself in ways that might surprise you.’ (Pictured: Chris Nield and Brook Crompton)

Despite this guidance, several participants have already been seen packing their bags and fleeing interstate, with producers scrambling to keep the experiment on track (Pictured: Luke Fourniotis/ Grayson McIvor)

Insiders say the pressure cooker experiment has left participants struggling to cope – and for some, the promise of instant fame simply no longer seems worth it. (Pictured: Gia Fleur)

Audiences are savvier, brands are pickier, and with the rise of social media creators, you don’t need TV to become famous anymore.’

Falk said that shift has left many questioning whether the experiment is still the golden ticket it once was.

‘Reality TV can still amplify someone into the mainstream, but increasingly it’s social media where careers are built and sustained,’ he continued.

‘For some of these cast members, the emotional toll of the experiment just isn’t worth the gamble.

‘No longer does talent need to wait for a reality TV break or a producer’s blessing to grow their career.

‘With the rise of social media, creators now have the tools to build their own verticals, cultivate an audience directly, and monetise their personal brand without ever stepping onto a television set.’

Falk says this has left some questioning whether MAFS is still the gateway to stardom it once was.

‘The truth is, the definition of “celebrity” has broadened,’ he added.

‘TV can still amplify someone into the mainstream, but increasingly it’s social media where careers are launched, grown and sustained. For some contestants, the experiment just isn’t worth it anymore.’

Married At First Sight returns to Channel Nine in 2026. 

MAFS 2026: Meet the cast

Meet the brides and grooms set to walk down the aisle on Married At First Sight Australia season 13:

Gia Fleur

Steve Powell

Rebecca Zukowski

Melissa Akbay

Alissa Fay

Grayson McIvor

Rachel Gilmore

Filip Gregov

David Momoh

Rebecca ‘Bec’ Zacharia

Danny Hewitt

Scott McCristal

Brook Crompton

Luke Fourniotis

 Julia Vogl

 Astise ‘Stella’

Chris Nield

‘Steve’