Judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood will return to American Idol 2026. But what about Ryan Seacrest?
After months of the typical speculation over which judges if any will return to American Idol for the new season, ABC/Disney reveals that Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood will return to their spots on the judges panel for the veteran singing show’s 24th season (Season 9 on ABC).
Notably, the press release Disney sent out does NOT mention whether host Ryan Seacrest will return for the upcoming season. However, according to sources, the long-time host is expected to return.
It’s happened in the past that the judges and Seacrest’s deals were announced weeks apart. Likely, Ryan is still hammering out a deal with the network. He also hosts a radio show for iHeartRadio and is the host of Wheel of Fortune (including the celebrity edition). He’s the only cast member who has been with American Idol since the beginning. It’s hard to imagine him NOT hosting the show.
Meanwhile, Season 24 auditions kick off Tuesday, Aug. 26, with the return of “Idol Across America,” the live virtual nationwide search for the next Idol champ, taking place across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C.
Those auditioning will be given the opportunity to showcase their talents face-to-face with an American Idol producer, from anywhere in America, across any official audition date for a chance to proceed to the judge auditions. Contenders will also be allowed to audition during open call dates, and auditions will be open worldwide to all those eligible.
“Idol Across America” auditions will be held as follows (subject to change):
- “First 900” VIP Event (Aug. 26)
- Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi (Aug. 27)
- Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas (Aug. 28)
- Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina (Sept. 2)
- Nationwide open call (Sept. 3)
- Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (Sept. 4)
- Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee (Sept. 8)
- Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington (Sept. 9)
- Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia (Sept. 11)
- East Coast open call (Sept. 12)
- The South open call (Sept. 15)
- Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin (Sept. 16)
- West and Midwest open call (Sept. 18)
- Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, D.C. (Sept. 19)
- Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming (Sept. 22)
- Nationwide open call (Sept. 24)
For information on how to sign up for “Idol Across America” and to register to virtually audition in front of an American Idol producer, please visit americanidol.com/auditions. Contenders may audition on any “Idol Across America” date, regardless of location. For full eligibility requirements, details on specific dates, submission forms, and terms and conditions, please visit the website.
American Idol will return to ABC network and streaming on Hulu midseason 2026. Last season’s winner, Jamal Roberts’ first single “Heal” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel chart in May 2025.
