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Date: March 2026
Host: Ryan Seacrest
Judges: Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood
Network: ABC
American Idol first premiered on Fox in June 2002 and was inspired by the British version, Pop Idol.
The show proved a hit with audiences in the United States and beyond, as millions have tuned in to watch the judging panel critique the performances of contestants eager to win the singing competition.
As a result, the reality series has kick-started the careers of some of the biggest names in music, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Adam Lambert.
Following a two-year hiatus from 2016, American Idol moved to ABC in 2018 and featured a fresh panel of judges who breathed new life into the format.
The 2026 Host and Judges
While the judges may have changed throughout the years, Ryan Seacrest has served as the host of American Idol since the show started in 2002.
After serving 23 seasons on the show, it was recently announced that Seacrest has renewed his contract ahead of season 24.
To add further stability to the singing competition, singers Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood will return to the judging seats this year.
It will mark the second consecutive season that the judges have all appeared together on the show, as season 4 winner Carrie Underwood made her judging debut in 2024, replacing Katy Perry.
Auditions
Idol Across America, the virtual auditions program that started during the pandemic, has returned for season 24. People from across the United States reportedly participated in remote auditions from August 26 to October 6, 2025.
It enables people from all walks of life to audition for the show from anywhere, ensuring anyone has a chance to become the next American Idol.
Open-call auditions have also been held. The contestants who pass will then be invited by producers to audition in front of the 2026 judging panel.
Those who wow the trio of judges will then receive a golden ticket to move on to the next round of auditions, famously known as Hollywood Week.
Many contestants will be eliminated during this round, and the final 12 will compete against each other in the live shows.
Ryan Seacrest and the judges are scheduled to film auditions in the fall of 2025, and Hollywood Week and the Hawaii round are expected to take place in early 2026.
As the auditions have already begun, season 24 of American Idol is expected to premiere on ABC in March 2026, which is consistent with previous seasons.
Format Changes
To keep the show fresh and entertaining, American Idol’s showrunner, Megan Michaels Wolflick, recently announced that season 24 will have some major format changes.
She stated there will be “surprises around every turn” for the contestants and audience. However, Wolflick, who has worked on the show since 2003, didn’t reveal what the surprises or changes will be.
Eligibility
Budding singers must be at least 15 years old by February 2026 to compete in season 24 of American Idol.
The Winner’s Prize
The 2026 winner’s prize hasn’t been officially announced, but it is expected to be the same as the 2025 season.
If so, the winner of season 24 of American Idol will win a cash prize of $250,000 and a record deal with Universal Music Group. Also, they will receive a recording budget for their first album. The prize details are likely to be confirmed during the season premiere.
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