American Idol will return for its landmark 25th season on Monday, February 8, 2027, at 8 p.m. Eastern/Pacific on ABC, bringing back judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie alongside longtime host Ryan Seacrest.
The new season will mark Underwood's third year on the judging panel and the tenth for Bryan and Richie, who have been part of the competition throughout its ABC run. Their return was announced during Bryan's Nashville concert in September, with Underwood joining him onstage and Richie appearing by video.
Before the competition begins, ABC will celebrate the franchise with American Idol at 25, the working title of a primetime anniversary special airing Monday, February 1. The programme will revisit the series' development and its influence on television, popular music and the careers of aspiring performers.
Underwood's continued involvement adds a personal connection to the anniversary season. The Season 4 winner now helps assess contestants pursuing the same opportunity that launched her career.
The search for the next winner began with the return of Idol Across America, the virtual audition programme offering eligible singers opportunities to perform face-to-face with a producer. ABC announced audition dates covering all 50 states and Washington, D.C., alongside open calls.
ABC says Season 25 episodes will stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu. Once the live competition begins, those broadcasts will also stream live on Disney+.
The February launch gives viewers two consecutive Mondays of Idol programming: a look back at the franchise's history, followed by the beginning of its next competition.
