“American Idol” Season 24: Everything We Know about Next Season

After an epic Season 23 finale, the stage is set for “American Idol” Season 24, slated to premiere on ABC in spring 2026. This marks the show’s ninth year since its revival. Announced on May 9, 2025, the next season will promise another round of unsigned talent chasing stardom, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host and a judging panel that has fans speculating. Following Season 23’s intense finale, where Jamal Roberts clinched the title after a record-breaking 26 million votes, the iconic singing competition is poised for a fresh chapter. From auditions to mentors, here’s everything we know about “American Idol” Season 24.

Judges: Uncertainty Looms

The judging lineup remains a hot topic. Season 23 featured Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie alongside Carrie Underwood, a Season 4 winner, who replaced Katy Perry after her seven-year tenure. Underwood’s debut boosted ratings to nearly 6 million for the March 2, 2025 premiere, American Songwriter reported. Her return for Season 24 is unconfirmed, with her 2026 album and tour potentially conflicting with filming. Potential replacements include Kelly Clarkson, who declined in 2024 for family reasons, Alicia Keys, who is known for  her soulful expertise, and Post Malone, a genre-blending wildcard. Bryan and Richie, fixtures since 2018, are likely to stay, but no confirmation has emerged, keeping fans on edge.

Premiere and Production Timeline

An exact premiere date is pending, but “American Idol” typically airs in February or March, with Season 24 expected around March 2026, TV Insider predicted. Past seasons launched on March 11, 2018 (Season 16), Feb. 14, 2021 (Season 19), and March 2, 2025 (Season 23), establishing a late-winter trend. Production is underway, with online auditions open since May 9. In-person auditions in cities like Los Angeles and Nashville will filter talent for the judges’ round. Filming will likely mirror Season 23, with Hollywood Week at Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre and Top 24 performances at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii.

Mentors and Format

Season 24 will retain its core format: auditions, Hollywood Week, a Showstopper Round, and live shows ending in a May finale. The “platinum ticket,” introduced in Season 20, will return, allowing judges to advance up to three contestants directly to Hollywood Week’s second round, as seen with Season 23’s Kolbi Jordan, Filo Ebid, and Canaan James Hill, Parade noted. Aulani mentors, a staple since Season 20, will feature big names, following Season 23’s Josh Groban, Ashanti, and Jelly Roll, who debuted as the show’s first mentors on set. No Season 24 mentors are confirmed, but X speculation suggests stars like Lainey Wilson or Pink. The “Idol Arena,” where over a hundred contestants faced random solo auditions in Season 23, may return for added intensity.

What to Expect

Season 24 aims to capitalize on Season 23’s momentum, where Jamal Roberts won with his soulful “Heal,” outperforming John Foster and Breanna Nix in a star-studded finale featuring Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson, and The War and Treaty, EntertainmentNow reported. The show’s talent-spotting prowess shined with performances like Foster’s “Tell That Angel I Love Her,” dedicated to his late friend, and Nix’s emotional “Higher,” both released as singles with 19 Recordings, American Songwriter noted. Expect themed weeks like Disney Night or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tributes, with live voting via phones, apps, and text. Seacrest, the show’s consistent and iconic host since 2002, remains its heart. Producers teased “fresh surprises” to keep viewers engaged, TV Insider noted. The finale, likely May 17, 2026, on ABC and Hulu, will crown the next star, cementing “American Idol’s” pop-culture legacy.