Game of Thrones will come to an end with Season 8, HBO has confirmed.

HBO programming chief Casey Bloys made the announcement at the Television Critics Association’s conference on July 30.

Game of Thrones Season 7 – made up of seven episodes instead of the usual 10 – is expected in summer 2017, while the final season will be in 2018.

The record-breaking fantasy drama TV series is based on novels written by George R. R. Martin.

Speaking at TCA’s conference in Beverly Hills, California, Casey Bloys said the number of episodes for the final season was yet to be determined.

“We’ll take as many as the (producers) will give us,” he said.

Casey Bloys did not rule out a spin-off, saying that “we’re open to it, (the producers) aren’t opposed to it, but there’s no concrete plans right now”.

In 2015, Game of Thrones won a record 12 Emmy Awards for a series in a single year.

Game of Thrones has picked up 23 nominations – another record – ahead of this year’s annual ceremony to be held in September.