American Idol is returning in early 2026, and this time, audiences will sit through a distinct experience. With changes to the voting methods and even to Hollywood Week, fans of the truth TV competition series are also gearing up to observe Idol alum Carrie Underwood take the judges’ table again with Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie. So, without further ado, all of us need to seek out out the premiere date of season 24.
Hollywood Life has all the small print on Idol’s twenty fourth season below.
What’s Different About American Idol in 2026?
Briefly, loads is different with American Idol now. The voting is one in all the primary major changes that fans will likely be introduced to. Audiences will now have the option to vote for his or her favorite singers live to tell the tale social media.
Showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick explained to Deadline that they desired to “meet the audience where they’re,” especially with the present generations consuming entertainment.
“If we are able to get Gen Alpha and Gen Z to weigh in slightly bit more within the easiest method possible, that’s very exciting,” Megan told the outlet. “It could tip the size. Trends are all the time different. We’ve got to satisfy the audience where they’re. Back in 2002, when the show began, texting was the brand new hot thing. We even have to satisfy the technology where it’s, as well. We have the desire to make it as easy as possible for people to vote for his or her favorites, weigh in from their couch with their second screen, in real time.”
The opposite difference with Idol this time around is that Hollywood Week is going down in Nashville, Tennessee, as a substitute of Los Angeles, California. Pretaped auditions were held at Belmont University in Nashville. So, there may be a distinct ring to the series’ famous catchphrase, “You’re going to Hollywood!”
When Does American Idol Season 24 Premiere? 2026 Release Date
Season 24 of American Idol premieres Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET.
How Can I Watch American Idol Live?
Fans can tune into American Idol on ABC every Monday starting in late January 2026. For cable cutters, episodes will likely be available to stream on Hulu the following day.