American Idol is coming back for a major milestone.
ABC has officially renewed the beloved singing competition for Season 25, marking another important chapter for one of television’s longest-running music shows. The network announced the renewal in July 2026, with auditions scheduled to begin in August and the new season set to arrive in 2027.
The series first premiered on Fox in June 2002 and remained on the network for 15 seasons before ending its original run in 2016. ABC brought the show back in 2018, and Season 25 will now become the 10th season of the competition since its revival.
The announcement comes just months after Hannah Harper took home the Season 24 crown in May 2026. The latest season featured Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood on the judging panel, with Ryan Seacrest once again serving as host.
Here is everything fans need to know about American Idol Season 25 so far.
When do Season 25 auditions begin?
The search for the next American Idol winner is already getting started.
Auditions officially begin August 25 with “Idol Across America,” a live virtual audition event. The first 250 singers who register will have the chance to audition directly with an American Idol producer from anywhere in the country.
The first regional open call will take place August 31 for singers from the South. Additional auditions will continue throughout September, with the final nationwide open call scheduled for September 28.
Aspiring contestants can find the full audition schedule and registration information through ABC’s official American Idol audition page.
Who will judge American Idol Season 25?
ABC has not yet officially revealed the judging panel for Season 25.
Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie have both been part of the judging team since ABC revived the series for Season 16. The two country and music legends have developed a strong chemistry over the years and have often spoken about how seriously they take their roles.
Carrie Underwood joined the panel in 2024, replacing Katy Perry. Her appointment created a full-circle moment because Underwood herself won American Idol Season 4 in 2005.
At the time, Underwood said she was proud of everything the show helped her achieve and excited to return in a completely different role.
Ryan Seacrest also celebrated her return to the show, calling it a full-circle moment after he had announced Underwood as the winner nearly two decades earlier.
Luke Bryan previously offered Underwood some advice as she adjusted to her new role. He explained that becoming an American Idol judge is something people have to learn by doing rather than something they can simply prepare for in advance.
Bryan praised Underwood for connecting with the contestants and said she was doing a great job settling into the judges’ table.
For now, fans will have to wait for ABC to confirm whether Bryan, Richie and Underwood will all return for the milestone season.
Will Ryan Seacrest return as host?
Ryan Seacrest has been one of the faces most closely connected to American Idol since the beginning, but ABC has not officially confirmed his return for Season 25.
Seacrest has hosted the competition since its first season, when he shared hosting duties with Brian Dunkleman. He has also made it clear in the past that he has a deep connection to the series.
In a 2017 interview, Seacrest described himself as the “American Idol guy” and said he would happily continue with the show for as long as possible.
There is also plenty keeping him busy outside the singing competition.
Seacrest currently hosts Wheel of Fortune as well as his weekday morning radio program, On Air with Ryan Seacrest. Despite his packed schedule, he has previously spoken about how he manages his demanding work life.
For now, his involvement in Season 25 remains officially unconfirmed, but his long history with the show makes his possible return one of the biggest questions surrounding the new season.
When will American Idol Season 25 premiere?
ABC has confirmed that Season 25 will premiere sometime in 2027, although an exact date has not been announced.
The timing would follow a recent pattern for the series. Season 24 premiered in January 2026, while Season 23 began in March 2025 and Season 22 launched in February 2024.
Once the new season arrives, viewers will be able to watch American Idol on ABC, with episodes also available to stream the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.
With auditions starting this month, the search for the next American Idol winner is officially underway. The biggest questions now are who will sit behind the judges’ table, whether Seacrest will return and which new singer will follow Hannah Harper as the show’s next champion.