“American Idol” Schedule – When Will New Episodes Air?
on Feb 11, 2026 • Updated Feb 27, 2026
Season 24 Of American Idol Premiered On January 26
American Idol schedule incoming: we know when to expect its upcoming episodes!
Season 24 of Idol premiered on January 26. The season marked the return of judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, alongside host Ryan Seacrest.
Idol plans to introduce several major changes this season. Some of those changes have already taken effect, starting with the show moving to Monday nights. Previously, the show aired on Sunday evenings on ABC.
The show also premiered earlier this year, in January, versus its March premiere in 2025. Additionally, Idol will only air one episode per week throughout the season. The show occasionally had two episodes per week in the past.
“It’s [still] around the same number of episodes,” showrunner Megan Michaels Wolflick told Billboard. “One a week and we started in January. That’s ‘old school’ — premiering in January. Once a week is better in some ways. It’s a lot to ask, four hours a week.”
RELATED: BREANNA NIX MAKES SURPRISE RETURN TO “AMERICAN IDOL” TO SUPPORT 15-YEAR-OLD HOPEFUL TATE EMMONS
It didn’t take long for some fan-favorite performers to emerge after their auditions aired. Viewers have been drawn to artists such as 22-year-old substitute teacher Braden Rumfelt and “String Cheese” singer Hannah Harper, who’s a mother of three.
American Idol Schedule Of Upcoming Episodes Released
Those who earn at least two “yes” votes from the Idol judges in the auditions earn a Golden Ticket to Hollywood Week. Traditionally, Hollywood Week was held in Los Angeles.
But in another big change brought to Season 24, Hollywood Week was filmed in Nashville this year. The show dubbed it “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.”
Fans always look forward to Hollywood Week, which started on February 23 this year!
American Idol also shared its schedule of upcoming episodes with PEOPLE. However, it isn’t complete quite yet.
Look below to see the American Idol schedule as we know it so far:
- March 2 – Episode 6, “Hollywood Week In Music City – Part 2”
- March 9 – Episode 7, “Ohana Round”
- March 16 – Episode 8, “Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i – Part 1”
- March 23 – Episode 9, “Top 20 at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawai’i – Part 2”
All of the above-mentioned episodes were pre-taped. We can assume that the live shows will start after the March 23 episode in Hawaii.
Mark your calendars for Monday nights so you don’t miss anything from Idol this year!
