Season 24 Episode Guide
American Idol 2026 Schedule
Never miss an episode. Here is the complete American Idol Season 24 broadcast schedule — from auditions through the grand finale on ABC.
Network
ABC
Regular Schedule
Sun & Mon 8 PM ET
Total Episodes
~21 Episodes
Full Episode Schedule
| Ep | Date | Day | Time | Round | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 16, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Auditions | Season premiere — auditions begin in Nashville, TN. |
| 2 | Feb 17, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Auditions | Auditions continue in Los Angeles, CA. |
| 3 | Feb 23, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Auditions | Auditions in New York City. |
| 4 | Feb 24, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Auditions | Final audition city: New Orleans, LA. |
| 5 | Mar 2, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Auditions | Last chance auditions and golden ticket highlights. |
| 6-7 | Mar 8-9, 2026 | Sun-Mon | 8:00 PM ET | Hollywood Week | Genre Challenge and Duets round. |
| 8-9 | Mar 15-16, 2026 | Sun-Mon | 8:00 PM ET | Hollywood Week | Showstoppers and Top 24 reveal. |
| 10 | Mar 22, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 24 | Top 24 perform — America votes for the first time. |
| 11 | Mar 23, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 24 | Results: Top 24 cut to Top 16. |
| 12 | Mar 29, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 16 | Top 16 performances — themed night. |
| 13 | Mar 30, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 16 | Results: Top 16 cut to Top 12. |
| 14 | Apr 5, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 12 | Top 12 live performances. |
| 15 | Apr 6, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 12 | Results: Top 12 cut to Top 10. |
| 16 | Apr 12, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 10 | Top 10 live performances — Disney Night. |
| 17 | Apr 13, 2026 | Monday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 10 | Results: Top 10 cut to Top 8. |
| 18 | Apr 19, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 8 | Top 8 live performances — Idol Legends Night. |
| 19 | Apr 26, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 5 | Top 5 perform two songs each. |
| 20 | May 3, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Top 3 | Top 3 hometown visits and performances. |
| 21 | May 10, 2026 | Sunday | 8:00 PM ET | Finale | Grand Finale — performances and winner reveal. |
Feb 16, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Season premiere — auditions begin in Nashville, TN.
Feb 17, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Auditions continue in Los Angeles, CA.
Feb 23, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Auditions in New York City.
Feb 24, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Final audition city: New Orleans, LA.
Mar 2, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Last chance auditions and golden ticket highlights.
Mar 8-9, 2026 · Sun-Mon · 8:00 PM ET
Genre Challenge and Duets round.
Mar 15-16, 2026 · Sun-Mon · 8:00 PM ET
Showstoppers and Top 24 reveal.
Mar 22, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 24 perform — America votes for the first time.
Mar 23, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Results: Top 24 cut to Top 16.
Mar 29, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 16 performances — themed night.
Mar 30, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Results: Top 16 cut to Top 12.
Apr 5, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 12 live performances.
Apr 6, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Results: Top 12 cut to Top 10.
Apr 12, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 10 live performances — Disney Night.
Apr 13, 2026 · Monday · 8:00 PM ET
Results: Top 10 cut to Top 8.
Apr 19, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 8 live performances — Idol Legends Night.
Apr 26, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 5 perform two songs each.
May 3, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Top 3 hometown visits and performances.
May 10, 2026 · Sunday · 8:00 PM ET
Grand Finale — performances and winner reveal.
Where to Watch American Idol 2026
American Idol Season 24 airs live on ABC every Sunday and Monday at 8:00 PM Eastern Time. If you miss the live broadcast, episodes are available to stream on Hulu the day after they air.
You can also watch live through ABC's website or app if you have a cable or live TV streaming subscription (YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, or DirecTV Stream all carry ABC).
For cord-cutters, an HD antenna will pick up ABC in most markets for free.
Ready to Vote?
Voting opens during each live performance episode. Learn how to cast your votes before showtime.
Voting Guide