Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition

Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition originally appeared on Parade.

American Idolwill officially be back for a ninth season onABC, the network announced. It will mark the 24th year overall for the competition series.

"I think we just have to keep evolving, keep pushing, keep leveling up every year," showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick told Parade. "We already have thousands of submissions for next season, and they’re really good people. So I feel like the quality is only getting better."

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American Idolconfirmed the big revealon Instagram."Dim the lights... here we go," read the official caption. "#AmericanIdol is coming back for another season! 🎶."

It's early days yet, as we're just reaching the end of this year's edition of the hit singing series. But here's what we know so far about American Idol 2026.

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What is the release date forAmerican Idol 2026?

American Idolwillpremiere sometime in March 2026, most likely, but it is much too early to have an exact date.

Who are theAmerican Idoljudges in 2026?

Lionel Richie

Lionel RichieDisney/Scott Kirkland

Luke Bryan

Luke BryanDisney/Scott Kirkland

Carrie Underwood

Carrie UnderwoodDisney/Christopher WillardAdvertisementAdvertisement#«R2jekkr8lb2m7nfblbH1» iframe

"This show is always about the finalists first and foremost," Wolflick said of last season's new judge. "Our three panelists are there to guide them along, and I think they did an exceptional job of doing that and making it all about positivity and uplifting. So I think Carrie crushed. Honestly, she really came into her own and carved out her own role. That was my hope for her. She wasn’t coming in as a copy and paste of anyone else. She was carving out Carrie Underwood, the American Idol judge."

Who is the host ofAmerican Idol?

Ryan Seacrest

Ryan SeacrestDisney/Scott Kirkland

American Idolwouldn’t beAmerican IdolwithoutRyan Seacrestas host. He’s the only original cast member remaining.

How to audition forAmerican Idol2026

Auditions are already underway. Sign up for a live virtual audition with one of the producers atamericanidol.com/auditions.

Who wonAmerican Idol2025?

R&B/soul singerJamal Robertswalked away as the winner ofAmerican Idol2025 and he made history in so doing, becoming only the second Black man to win the title in the singing competition’s history.

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“I felt Luke and Lionel pulling for me. Ifeltit,” Roberts said. “So, that’s why I stayed focused and I just continued the journey.”

Related: American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Reacts to Making History (Exclusive)

When didAmerican Idolbegin?

The reality singing competition premiered in 2002 on FOX with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. In 2016, after several seasons of declining ratings and several changes of judges, FOX canceled the series. Then, on March 11, 2018, a revival of the series began airing on ABC.

How do you vote onAmerican Idol?

Fans ofAmerican Idolwho are at least 13 and reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, can vote online atAmericanIdol.com/vote, in the American Idol app, or via text during the live shows.

How to watchAmerican Idolon TV and online

Tune into the competition on ABC, or stream onABC.comor theABC appafter signing in with your TV service provider.

How to streamAmerican Idol

American Idolcan be streamed live with an on-demand ABC subscription or watch it the next day onHulu.

Related: How Much Do ‘American Idol’ Contestants Get Paid?

IsAmerican Idolon Netflix?

Unfortunately not. But it is on Hulu!

What time isAmerican Idolon?

American Idolairs on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Season 8 also aired on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

What channel isAmerican Idolon?

American Idolhas aired on ABC since March 2018. The series originally aired on FOX from 2002-2016. If you miss the original airing, check it out on Hulu the next day.

Related: ABC Announces Its Fall 2025-2026 Schedule

Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition first appeared on Parade on Jun 28, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.