🚨 MILESTONE RETURN FOR AMERICAN IDOL: Season 25 officially confirmed but fans will face a longer wait than usual—Audition dates and premiere details revealed! 🇺🇸🎤💥

American Idol is officially returning for a milestone 25th season.

ABC renewed the long-running singing competition series in July 2026, per a press release. Auditions will take place in August, while the new episodes will premiere in 2027.

American Idol debuted on Fox in June 2002 and ran for 15 seasons on the network. After ending in April 2016, ABC revived the series in March 2018. The next chapter will mark the show’s 10th season since being revived by ABC.

Back in May, Hannah Harper was crowned the winner of season 24, which saw Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood return as judges alongside host Ryan Seacrest.

Here’s what we know so far about American Idol season 25, including the audition dates.

When are auditions for American Idol season 25? 

Auditions begin on August 25 with the show’s live virtual event, “Idol Across America.” The first 250 singers who sign up for the event can audition “face-to-face with an American Idol producer” from anywhere in the country.

The first open call is for the South on August 31. Auditions run through September 28, ending with a final nationwide open call. All audition dates are listed on ABC’s audition website.

Who are the judges on American Idol season 25?

ABC has yet to confirm the judges for season 25. Bryan and Richie have been judges on the show for nine seasons, starting with ABC’s revival for season 16.

“We’re compassionate at times,” Bryan said of judging American Idol with Richie and Katy Perry while on Good Morning America in March 2018. “When we’re not compassionate, we get emotional. We get wrapped up in their stories. We have moments where we’re softies.”

“We’re our individual selves too,” Richie added. “When we see a contestant that we really believe in, we fight for them. We’re talking each other into other things. This is the part you don’t see. This conversation we’re having right now, this is how long it takes us to agree on contestants because we’re very passionate.”

Underwood joined the show in 2024. The “Before He Cheats” singer, who won season 4 of the competition show in 2005, replaced Perry as judge starting with season 23.

“I’m proud of everything that I was able to accomplish on the show and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve accomplished since,” the singer said on Good Morning America during the announcement that she would return as a judge.

Seacrest publicly celebrated Underwood’s American Idol homecoming following her announcement as judge. “It’s a full-circle moment to go from announcing you as the winner of [American Idol] 20 years ago to now welcoming you to the judge’s table,” he wrote on Instagram in August 2024. “Welcome home, @carrieunderwood !”

Bryan shared some words of wisdom for Underwood at the time. “The thing about it is Carrie has to kind of learn in real time,” Bryan told E! News in November 2024. “You kind of have to learn how to be a judge. It’s not like you can go to American Idol judging school.”

He continued to praise her for being “awesome with the kids” and having “the best soul and heart.” He added, “She’s doing a great job and really settling into the judging table.”

Is Ryan Seacrest coming back to host American Idol season 25?

While Seacrest has hosted American Idol since its first season — when he co-hosted with Brian Dunkleman — ABC’s season 25 renewal announcement did not confirm if the longtime host will return for another round. However, he’s previously indicated that he will continue with the show.

“Who am I if not the American Idol guy?” Seacrest told The Hollywood Reporter in June 2017. “I’ve always loved the show. And if I could do it forever, I would do it forever.”

Apart from American Idol, Seacrest has been busy hosting Wheel of Fortune and his weekday morning show On Air with Ryan Seacrest. In September 2025, Seacrest opened up to PEOPLE about navigating his schedule.

“It’s like, I go to bed immediately, and I get a good night’s sleep,” he said. “But it’s pretty jam-packed in between the sleeps.”

When will American Idol season 25 premiere?

While ABC has yet to announce a specific release date, the network confirmed American Idol season 25 will premiere in 2027.

Previously, season 24 premiered in January 2026, season 23 in March 2025 and season 22 in February 2024.

When American Idol returns, it will air on ABC and stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.