‘Law & Order: SVU’ Season 27 Release Schedule: Everything to Know

Law & Order: SVU is back for season 27 — and Olivia Benson and her team are ready to dish out justice.

The hit NBC series follows the Special Victims Unit of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) as they investigate some of the city’s most sensitive and complex crimes, often involving sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence. At the center is Captain Benson (Mariska Hargitay), the “longest-running primetime drama character in television history,” per NBC. 

She’s supported by Sergeants Fin Tutuola (Ice-T) and Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish), Detective Terry Bruno (Kevin Kane) and Assistant District Attorney Dominick “Sonny” Carisi Jr. (Peter Scanavino), among others, who bring grit, intelligence and heart to each case.

Now in season 27, Law & Order: SVU still knows how to shock its stars and viewers, as series regular Ice-T revealed to Entertainment Weekly in August 2025.

“I show up this season in the first episode. I get my ass beaten and end up in the hospital. So I’m like, what the f— is going on?” the rapper said. “We’re excited, and we’re off to a good start.”

Here’s everything to know about the Law & Order: SVU season 27 episode release schedule.

When does Law & Order: SVU season 27 premiere? 

Season 27 of Law & Order: SVU premieres on Sept. 25.

During an interview with PEOPLE in August 2025, Ice-T discussed the show’s “heavy” topics and how the cast works to honor each storyline.

“It’s entertainment, but it’s also therapy for a lot of people,” he said. “It’s deeper than just entertainment. We’re dealing with victims and survivors. A lot of women who watch the show have been through some of these terrible incidents. Maybe on our show, they see the justice that they might not have seen in real life. And it’s some kind of help to them.”

How many episodes are in Law & Order: SVU season 27? 

NBC hasn’t confirmed how many episodes season 27 will include, but historically, most seasons have featured about 22 episodes.

“The thing about SVU is, we have no idea where it’s going,” Ice-T told PEOPLE. “Mariska is a producer, so she kind of knows where the boat’s being steered. But until we get a script, we don’t know.”

The actor continued, “When I showed up for the first episode [of season 27], I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m getting my ass beat? Really?’ In the past, it was like, ‘Oh, you’re gonna get married this year.’ … I was like, ‘I’m in, I guess.’ ”

What is the Law & Order: SVU season 27 episode release schedule? 

Law & Order SVU returns for season 27 on Sept. 25, and new episodes will debut weekly on Thursdays.

A season finale date has not been announced at this time.

When do new episodes of Law & Order: SVU come out? 

Law & Order: SVU airs new episodes on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on NBC.

Where can I watch Law & Order: SVU season 27?

Law & Order: SVU airs on NBC and is available to stream on Peacock the next day.

All 26 previous seasons of the drama are also available on the streaming platform.