American Idol 2026 Auditions Are Open. Full Schedule, Cities & What We Know About Season 25

American Idol 2026 Auditions Live Schedule & Cities are finally here, and fans couldn’t be more excited. After Jamal Roberts’ big win in Season 24, ABC has confirmed that the next season is on the way—and auditions are already live.

With nationwide open calls, city-by-city audition dates, and easy online applications, now is your chance to step into the spotlight and audition for America’s favorite singing competition. The network has already dropped the audition schedule, and aspiring singers across the U.S. are preparing to take their shot.

So, if you’ve been dreaming of stepping into the Idol spotlight, here’s everything you need to know about auditions, cities, and the upcoming season.

When Do American Idol 2026 Auditions Start?

The big reveal came on Instagram with the caption: “Dim the lights… here we go.” That confirmation means one thing—auditions are officially open for the next season!

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Contestants can audition virtually by signing up for a live video session with a producer through the official “American Idol” website.

Who Can American Idol Audition 2026?

✔️ Must be 15 years or older by February 15, 2026
✔️ Must not have been previously disqualified from the show

American Idol Auditions 2026 Schedule Date and Time

This year’s auditions include both nationwide open calls and state-by-state audition dates (called Idol Across America). Check out the full schedule below:

📅 Upcoming Open Calls

• August 26, 2025 – VIP: First 900
• September 3, 2025 – Nationwide Open Call
• September 12, 2025 – East Coast Open Call
• September 15, 2025 – The South Open Call
• September 18, 2025 – West & Midwest Open Call
• September 24, 2025 – Nationwide Open Call (Idol Across America – By State)

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📍 Idol Across America — State-by-State Auditions of American Idol 2026

Here’s when your state auditions are happening:

• August 27, 2025 – Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi
• August 28, 2025 – Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
• September 2, 2025 – Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
• September 3, 2025 – Nationwide Open Call
• September 4, 2025 – Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
• September 8, 2025 – Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, Tennessee
• September 9, 2025 – Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington
• September 11, 2025 – Florida, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia
• September 12, 2025 – East Coast Open Call
• September 15, 2025 – The South Open Call
• September 16, 2025 – Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin
• September 18, 2025 – West & Midwest Open Call
• September 19, 2025 – Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C.
• September 22, 2025 – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming
• September 24, 2025 – Nationwide Open Call (IAA – By State)

American Idol 2026 — What We Know So Far

• Premiere Date: Expected March 2026
• Judges: Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan are all expected to return. (Carrie’s addition would be a huge moment—bringing a past winner back as a judge!)
• Host: Ryan Seacrest, of course. Idol simply wouldn’t be Idol without him.

Executive producer Megan Michaels Wolflick teased that thousands of auditions are already flooding in, saying: “The momentum is coming, but we’ll have to stay tuned… official updates are coming soon.”

How to Watch American Idol live show in 2026?

Catch American Idol on ABC, with streaming available on the ABC app and website. Episodes will also be on Hulu the day after they air.

FAQs About American Idol 2026

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Entertainment content writer at Sursangram, covering the latest casting calls, reality shows, TV updates, and celebrity news with a focus on engaging, SEO-friendly storytelling.

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