Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Auditionoriginally appeared onParade. American Idolwill officially be back for a ninth season on ABC, 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," showrunnerMegan Michaels WolflicktoldParade."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." American Idolconfirmed the big revealon Instagram. "Dim the lights... here we go," read the official caption. "#AmericanIdol is coming back for another season! 🎶." View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Idol (@americanidol) It's early days yet, as we're just reaching the end ofthisyear's edition of the hit singing series. But here's what we know so far aboutAmerican Idol2026. 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬 https://parade.com/tv/shemar-moore-swat-series-finale-sneak-peek-exclusive American Idolwill premiere sometime in March 2026, most likely, but it is much too early to have an exact date. "This show is always about the finalists first and foremost,"Wolflicksaid 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, theAmerican Idoljudge." American Idolwouldn't beAmerican IdolwithoutRyan Seacrestas host. He's the only original cast member remaining. Auditions are already underway. Sign up for a live virtual audition with one of the producers atamericanidol.com/auditions. 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. "I felt Luke and Lionel pulling for me. I felt it," Roberts said. "So, that's why I stayed focused and I just continued the journey." Related:American IdolWinner Jamal Roberts Reacts to Making History (Exclusive) The reality singing competition premiered in 2002 on FOX with judgesSimon Cowell,Paula AbdulandRandy 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. 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. Tune into the competition on ABC, or stream onABC.comor theABC appafter signing in with your TV service provider. 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? Unfortunately not. But it is on Hulu! American Idolairs on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Season 8 also aired on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. 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 Auditionfirst appeared on Parade on Jun 28, 2025 This story was originally reported byParadeon Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
