If you’re asking when are the Oscars 2026, the 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony will air live across the United States from Hollywood, honoring the best films released in 2025.
Organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the annual event remains the most recognized celebration of cinematic achievement in the world. Here is everything U.S. viewers need to know about the confirmed schedule and broadcast plans.
The 98th Academy Awards are officially set to take place on:
Sunday, March 15, 2026
🕖 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
🕓 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)
The ceremony will air live during prime-time television, continuing the Oscars’ long-standing tradition of hosting Hollywood’s biggest night on a Sunday evening. The broadcast will originate from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, the Academy’s permanent home since 2002.
📺 Prime-Time Live Broadcast
The Oscars will once again be presented as a live telecast for audiences across the United States. Viewers on the East Coast can tune in at 7:00 p.m. ET, while West Coast viewers can watch live at 4:00 p.m. PT. As in previous years, major network coverage ensures the ceremony remains one of the most-watched entertainment events of the year.
The event is organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the nominations, voting process, and overall production of the awards.
🌟 Red Carpet Coverage
Red carpet coverage is expected to begin well before the official ceremony start time. Typically, pre-show events begin one to two hours earlier, featuring:
- Celebrity arrivals
- Designer fashion showcases
- Live interviews with nominees and presenters
- Early commentary and predictions
For fans, the red carpet has become nearly as anticipated as the awards themselves, offering the first glimpse of Hollywood’s biggest stars ahead of the ceremony.
🎬 Continuing a Historic Tradition
The 98th edition of the Oscars continues a tradition that dates back to 1929. Over the decades, the ceremony has evolved into a global celebration of filmmaking excellence, recognizing achievements in acting, directing, writing, music, cinematography, and technical artistry.
With its confirmed date of March 15, 2026, this year’s ceremony arrives slightly later than some previous editions but remains firmly positioned within awards season.
Where the 2026 Oscars Will Be Held
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will once again take place at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
The Dolby Theatre has hosted the Oscars every year since 2002, becoming permanently associated with Hollywood’s most prestigious awards night. Situated in the heart of Hollywood, the venue is part of the Ovation Hollywood complex (formerly Hollywood & Highland), a major entertainment and shopping destination along Hollywood Boulevard.
With seating for more than 3,000 guests, the theater features:
- A grand entrance designed specifically for red carpet arrivals
- One of the largest stages in the United States
- Advanced sound and broadcast technology built for global live television
- Elegant architectural design tailored for high-profile premieres and award shows
Each year, nominees, presenters, performers, and industry leaders gather inside the Dolby Theatre while millions of viewers watch from around the world. The venue’s sweeping staircases, golden Oscar statuettes lining the corridors, and dramatic stage design have become instantly recognizable symbols of Academy Awards night.
By returning to the Dolby Theatre for 2026, the Oscars continue a two-decade tradition in the same legendary location — reinforcing its status as the permanent home of Hollywood’s biggest celebration of film.
Who Is Hosting the Ceremony
The 98th Academy Awards will once again be hosted by comedian and television personality Conan O’Brien. This marks his second consecutive year leading Hollywood’s biggest night.
O’Brien’s previous appearance as host generated strong audience engagement and positive reactions across the entertainment industry. Known for his sharp wit, improvisational humor, and self-aware comedic style, he successfully balanced playful satire with respectful acknowledgment of nominees and winners.
His hosting approach typically includes:
- Quick, topical monologue jokes
- Light audience interaction
- Clever pre-taped comedy segments
- Smooth transitions between award presentations
Producers have emphasized maintaining high entertainment value while preserving the ceremony’s prestige and tradition. O’Brien’s ability to blend humor with thoughtful moments helps keep the multi-hour live broadcast energetic and engaging for viewers at home.
With his return, the Academy signals continuity and confidence in a host who resonates with both industry insiders and mainstream audiences — a key ingredient for the success of a live prime-time awards show.
📺 How to Watch the 2026 Oscars in the United States
Viewers across the United States can watch the 98th Academy Awards live through multiple platforms, ensuring nationwide access to Hollywood’s biggest night.
📡 Television Broadcast
The ceremony will air live on ABC, the Oscars’ long-time broadcast partner. The prime-time telecast begins at:
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET)
Viewers in other U.S. time zones can tune in at:
- 6:00 p.m. Central Time (CT)
- 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time (MT)
- 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)
Local ABC affiliate stations will carry the live broadcast.
💻 Streaming Options
For cord-cutters and digital viewers, the ceremony will also stream live on Hulu. Subscribers with access to Hulu’s live TV service can watch the event in real time on supported devices, including smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, and streaming players.
🌟 Red Carpet Coverage
Red carpet programming typically airs ahead of the main ceremony, offering:
- Nominee and celebrity interviews
- Live fashion coverage
- Behind-the-scenes commentary
- Early predictions and analysis
Pre-show coverage generally begins one to two hours before the official start time, allowing audiences to experience the full Oscars atmosphere before the first award is presented.
🗓️ Major Dates Leading Up to Oscar Night
The road to the 98th Academy Awards follows a carefully structured calendar set by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Each milestone plays a critical role in shaping awards season and building anticipation ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Here are the key confirmed dates for the 2026 Oscars cycle:
- Nominations Announcement: January 22, 2026
- Nominees Luncheon: February 10, 2026
- Final Voting Deadline: March 5, 2026
- Oscar Ceremony: March 15, 2026
- Scientific and Technical Awards: April 28, 2026
🎬 Nominations Announcement — January 22, 2026
The nominations announcement officially marked the beginning of the final phase of awards season. On this date, contenders in all categories — including Best Picture, acting, directing, and technical fields — were revealed to the public. From that moment, campaigns intensified and industry attention narrowed to the year’s top films and performances.
🍽️ Nominees Luncheon — February 10, 2026
The annual Nominees Luncheon brought together this year’s honorees for a celebratory gathering. The event offers a rare opportunity for nominees across categories to meet, network, and take the traditional “class photo,” symbolizing their place in Oscar history.
🗳️ Final Voting Deadline — March 5, 2026
Academy members submitted their final ballots by early March. Once voting closed, results were tabulated and sealed. The winners remained confidential, with envelopes secured until they are opened live on stage during the ceremony.
🏆 Oscar Ceremony — March 15, 2026
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, when winners are revealed in real time before a global television audience.
🔬 Scientific and Technical Awards — April 28, 2026
Separate from the televised ceremony, the Scientific and Technical Awards recognize groundbreaking innovations in filmmaking technology. These honors celebrate engineers, designers, and creators whose behind-the-scenes advancements shape the future of cinema.
Together, these milestones create a structured countdown that builds momentum, culminating in the live unveiling of the year’s most prestigious film honors.
What the Oscars Recognize
The Academy Awards honor excellence across all aspects of filmmaking. Categories include:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor and Best Actress
- Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress
- Original and Adapted Screenplay
- Cinematography
- Film Editing
- Production Design
- Costume Design
- Original Score and Original Song
A new competitive category for Best Casting has been introduced, expanding recognition for behind-the-scenes creative contributions.
The Oscar statuette remains one of the most recognizable trophies in global entertainment.
Why the March 15 Date Is Significant
The mid-March timeframe places the ceremony firmly within the traditional awards season window. It allows time for films released late in 2025 to receive full consideration.
Studios and filmmakers use the months leading up to March to promote eligible films and connect with Academy voters. By the time Oscar night arrives, the industry has already seen major precursors and awards events that help shape expectations.
For those still asking when are the Oscars 2026, March 15 is the confirmed date to mark on your calendar.
What to Expect on Oscar Night
Oscar night consistently delivers:
- Live performances of nominated songs
- Emotional acceptance speeches
- Surprise wins
- Historic first-time victories
- The annual In Memoriam tribute
Producers continue refining the show’s pacing to maintain viewer engagement while honoring tradition.
Winning an Oscar can significantly boost a film’s box office performance and reshape careers overnight. The ceremony remains one of the most influential events in entertainment.
Mark March 15, 2026, on your calendar and get ready for a night that celebrates the very best in film. Which movies are you hoping take home the gold?