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- Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition</p>
<p>Paulette CohnJune 29, 2025 at 3:40 AM</p>
<p>Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition originally appeared on Parade.</p>
<p>American Idol will officially be back for a ninth season on ABC, the network announced. It will mark the 24th year overall for the competition series.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>American Idol confirmed the big reveal on Instagram. "Dim the lights... here we go," read the official caption. "#AmericanIdol is coming back for another season! 🎶."</p>
<p>View this post on Instagram</p>
<p>A post shared by American Idol (@americanidol)</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<p>What is the release date for American Idol 2026?</p>
<p>American Idol will premiere sometime in March 2026, most likely, but it is much too early to have an exact date.</p>
<p>Who are the American Idol judges in 2026?Lionel Richie</p>
<p>Lionel RichieDisney/Scott KirklandLuke Bryan</p>
<p>Luke BryanDisney/Scott KirklandCarrie Underwood</p>
<p>Carrie UnderwoodDisney/Christopher Willard</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>Who is the host of American Idol?Ryan Seacrest</p>
<p>Ryan SeacrestDisney/Scott Kirkland</p>
<p>American Idol wouldn't be American Idol without Ryan Seacrest as host. He's the only original cast member remaining.</p>
<p>How to audition for American Idol 2026</p>
<p>Auditions are already underway. Sign up for a live virtual audition with one of the producers at americanidol.com/auditions.</p>
<p>Who won American Idol 2025?</p>
<p>R&B/soul singer Jamal Roberts walked away as the winner of American Idol 2025 and he made history in so doing, becoming only the second Black man to win the title in the singing competition's history.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>Related: American Idol Winner Jamal Roberts Reacts to Making History (Exclusive)</p>
<p>When did American Idol begin?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>How do you vote on American Idol?</p>
<p>Fans of American Idol who are at least 13 and reside in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, can vote online at AmericanIdol.com/vote, in the American Idol app, or via text during the live shows.</p>
<p>How to watch American Idol on TV and online</p>
<p>Tune into the competition on ABC, or stream on ABC.com or the ABC app after signing in with your TV service provider.</p>
<p>How to stream American Idol</p>
<p>American Idol can be streamed live with an on-demand ABC subscription or watch it the next day on Hulu.</p>
<p>Related: How Much Do 'American Idol' Contestants Get Paid?</p>
<p>Is American Idol on Netflix?</p>
<p>Unfortunately not. But it is on Hulu!</p>
<p>What time is American Idol on?</p>
<p>American Idol airs on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Season 8 also aired on Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT.</p>
<p>What channel is American Idol on?</p>
<p>American Idol has 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.</p>
<p>Related: ABC Announces Its Fall 2025-2026 Schedule</p>
<p>Everything to Know About 'American Idol' 2026 – Including the Judges and How to Audition first appeared on Parade on Jun 28, 2025</p>
<p>This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.</p>
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