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Is American Idol coming back?

American Idol (2002–present) — music on ABC

The answer: Yes — returns in 2 days. Next episode · S24E16 · "Grand Finale" · on ABC
Watch on Disney+ →
American Idol poster
Genre
Music
Network / streamer
ABC
Premiered
June 11, 2002
Runtime
~119 min per episode
TVMaze rating
5.1 / 10
24seasons
730episodes
1upcoming
5.1/ 10

About American Idol

American Idol is currently airing on ABC; the next episode airs May 11, 2026. The show is in its 24th season, with new episodes broadcast weekly. The latest episode aired on May 11, 2026, and the show continues to feature aspiring singers competing for the title. American Idol is an American singing competition series that first premiered on June 11, 2002. It features contestants performing in front of a panel of star judges, representing the music industry, with the winner determined by viewers' votes. The show has been a platform for discovering new musical talent and has become a staple in the genre of music competition television. The current cast includes host Ryan Seacrest and judges Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Lopez, Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Katy Perry. The show holds a rating of 5.1 on TVMaze and has a runtime of 119 minutes per episode.

American Idol episode schedule

1 upcoming · 729 aired . Next episode: May 11, 2026.

Upcoming · 1

DateEp.Title
May 11, 2026 S24·E16 Grand Finale

Aired · 729

DateEp.Title
May 4, 2026 S24·E15 Class of 2006: Reunion / Idol X DWTS
April 27, 2026 S24·E14 Celebrating Taylor Swift on American Idol
April 20, 2026 S24·E13 Disney Night
April 13, 2026 S24·E12 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 6, 2026 S24·E11 90s Judges' Song Contest
March 30, 2026 S24·E10 Songs of Faith
March 23, 2026 S24·E9 Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i Part 2
March 16, 2026 S24·E8 Top 20 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawai'i Part 1
March 9, 2026 S24·E7 'Ohana Round
March 2, 2026 S24·E6 Hollywood Week in Music City Part 2
February 23, 2026 S24·E5 Hollywood Week in Music City Part 1
February 16, 2026 S24·E4 Auditions 4
February 9, 2026 S24·E3 Auditions 3
February 2, 2026 S24·E2 Auditions 2
January 26, 2026 S24·E1 Auditions 1
May 18, 2025 S23·E19 Grand Finale
May 12, 2025 S23·E18 Disney Night #2
May 11, 2025 S23·E17 Disney Night #1
May 5, 2025 S23·E16 Judge's Song Contest
May 4, 2025 S23·E15 Ladies' Night
April 28, 2025 S23·E14 Iconic Idol Moments
April 27, 2025 S23·E13 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 21, 2025 S23·E12 Top 14 Reveal
April 20, 2025 S23·E11 Songs of Faith
April 14, 2025 S23·E10 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #2
April 13, 2025 S23·E9 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #1
April 7, 2025 S23·E8 Head to Head
April 6, 2025 S23·E7 Hollywood Week: Showstopper
March 31, 2025 S23·E6 Hollywood Week: Idol Arena
March 30, 2025 S23·E5 Auditions 5
Show next 200 of 699 earlier episodes
March 23, 2025 S23·E4 Auditions 4
March 16, 2025 S23·E3 Auditions 3
March 9, 2025 S23·E2 Season Premiere: Auditions
March 2, 2025 S23·E1 Post Oscars: Auditions
May 19, 2024 S22·E18 Grand Finale
May 12, 2024 S22·E17 Disney Night
May 5, 2024 S22·E16 Adele Night
April 29, 2024 S22·E15 Judge's Song Contest
April 28, 2024 S22·E14 Shania Twain Mentors the Top 10 on Songs From Their Year of Birth
April 22, 2024 S22·E13 Billboard #1 Hits
April 21, 2024 S22·E12 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
April 15, 2024 S22·E11 Top 14 Reveal
April 14, 2024 S22·E10 Top 20
April 8, 2024 S22·E9 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #2
April 7, 2024 S22·E8 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #1
April 1, 2024 S22·E7 Showstopper/Final Judgment
March 31, 2024 S22·E6 Hollywood Week - Idol Arena
March 24, 2024 S22·E5 Auditions 5
March 17, 2024 S22·E4 Auditions 4
March 3, 2024 S22·E3 Auditions 3
February 25, 2024 S22·E2 Auditions 2
February 18, 2024 S22·E1 Auditions 1
May 21, 2023 S21·E20 Season Finale
May 15, 2023 S21·E19 Journey to the Finale
May 14, 2023 S21·E18 Disney Night
May 7, 2023 S21·E17 Top 8: Alanis Morissette/Ed Sheeran
May 1, 2023 S21·E16 Judge's Song Contest
April 30, 2023 S21·E15 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night
April 24, 2023 S21·E14 Top 12 Reveal!
April 23, 2023 S21·E13 Top 20
April 17, 2023 S21·E12 Top 26 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #2
April 16, 2023 S21·E11 Top 26 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #1
April 10, 2023 S21·E10 Showstopper/Final Judgment Part #2
April 9, 2023 S21·E9 Showstopper/Final Judgment Part #1
April 3, 2023 S21·E8 Hollywood Week Part #2
April 2, 2023 S21·E7 Hollywood Week Part #1
March 26, 2023 S21·E6 Auditions 5
March 19, 2023 S21·E5 Auditions 4
March 12, 2023 S21·E4 Auditions 3A
March 5, 2023 S21·E3 Auditions 3
February 26, 2023 S21·E2 Auditions 2
February 19, 2023 S21·E1 Auditions 1
May 22, 2022 S20·E20 Grand Finale
May 15, 2022 S20·E19 Top 5
May 8, 2022 S20·E18 Top 7
May 2, 2022 S20·E17 The Great Idol Reunion
May 1, 2022 S20·E16 Disney Night
April 25, 2022 S20·E15 Judge's Song Contest
April 24, 2022 S20·E14 Top 14
April 18, 2022 S20·E13 Top 14 Live Reveal
April 17, 2022 S20·E12 Season 20's Top 20
April 11, 2022 S20·E11 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #2
April 10, 2022 S20·E10 Top 24 at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii Part #1
April 4, 2022 S20·E9 Showstopper/Final Judgment
April 3, 2022 S20·E8 Hollywood Duets Challenge
March 28, 2022 S20·E7 Hollywood Week: Genre Challenge
March 27, 2022 S20·E6 Auditions 5A
March 21, 2022 S20·E5 Auditions 5
March 20, 2022 S20·E4 Auditions 4
March 13, 2022 S20·E3 Auditions 3
March 6, 2022 S20·E2 Auditions 2
February 27, 2022 S20·E1 Auditions 1
May 23, 2021 S19·E19 Grand Finale
May 16, 2021 S19·E18 My Personal Idol / Artist Singles
May 9, 2021 S19·E17 Coldplay Songbook & Mother's Day Dedication
May 2, 2021 S19·E16 Disney Night
April 19, 2021 S19·E15 The Comeback
April 18, 2021 S19·E14 Oscar Nominated Songs
April 12, 2021 S19·E13 Top 12 Live Reveal
April 11, 2021 S19·E12 Top 16
April 5, 2021 S19·E11 All Star Duets and Solos
April 4, 2021 S19·E10 All Star Duets and Solos
March 29, 2021 S19·E9 Showstopper/Final Judgment Part #2
March 28, 2021 S19·E8 Showstopper/Final Judgment Part #1
March 22, 2021 S19·E7 Hollywood Duets Challenge
March 21, 2021 S19·E6 Hollywood Week: Genre Challenge
March 14, 2021 S19·E5 Auditions 5
March 7, 2021 S19·E4 Auditions 4
February 28, 2021 S19·E3 Auditions 3
February 21, 2021 S19·E2 Auditions 2
February 14, 2021 S19·E1 Auditions 1
May 17, 2020 S18·E16 On with the Show: Grand Finale
May 10, 2020 S18·E15 On with the Show: Disney / Mother's Day
May 3, 2020 S18·E14 On with the Show: Homeward Bound
April 26, 2020 S18·E13 On with the Show: Top 20 Sing for Your Vote
April 19, 2020 S18·E12 This Is Me (Part #2)
April 12, 2020 S18·E11 This Is Me (Part #1)
April 5, 2020 S18·E10 Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment Part 2
March 29, 2020 S18·E9 Hawaii Showcase and Final Judgment Part 1
March 23, 2020 S18·E8 Hollywood Week - Solos
March 22, 2020 S18·E7 Hollywood Week - Duets
March 16, 2020 S18·E6 Hollywood Week - Genre Challenge
March 15, 2020 S18·E5 Auditions 5
March 8, 2020 S18·E4 Auditions 4
March 1, 2020 S18·E3 Auditions 3
February 23, 2020 S18·E2 Auditions 2
February 16, 2020 S18·E1 Auditions 1
May 19, 2019 S17·E18 Grand Finale
May 12, 2019 S17·E17 Top 5 Perform: Elton John
May 5, 2019 S17·E16 Top 6 Perform: Woodstock and Show Stoppers
April 28, 2019 S17·E15 Top 8 Perform: Queen Night
April 21, 2019 S17·E14 Top 10 Perform: Disney Night
April 15, 2019 S17·E13 Top 10 Reveal
April 14, 2019 S17·E12 Top 14
April 8, 2019 S17·E11 All-Star Duets: Part 2
April 7, 2019 S17·E10 All-Star Duets: Part 1
April 1, 2019 S17·E9 Top 20 Solos
March 31, 2019 S17·E8 Showcase/Final Judgment
March 25, 2019 S17·E7 Hollywood Week: Part 2
March 24, 2019 S17·E6 Hollywood Week: Part 1
March 18, 2019 S17·E5 Auditions 5
March 17, 2019 S17·E4 Auditions 4
March 10, 2019 S17·E3 Auditions 3
March 6, 2019 S17·E2 Auditions 2
March 3, 2019 S17·E1 Auditions 1
May 21, 2018 S16·E19 Grand Finale
May 20, 2018 S16·E18 Performance Finals
May 13, 2018 S16·E17 Top 5
May 6, 2018 S16·E16 Top 7
April 29, 2018 S16·E15 Top 10 - Disney Night
April 23, 2018 S16·E14 Top 10 Reveal
April 22, 2018 S16·E13 Top 14
April 16, 2018 S16·E12 Top 24 Celebrity Duets: Part 2
April 15, 2018 S16·E11 Top 24 Solos: Part 2
April 9, 2018 S16·E10 Top 24 Celebrity Duets: Part 1
April 8, 2018 S16·E9 Top 24 Solos: Part 1
April 2, 2018 S16·E8 Showcase & Final Judgment
April 1, 2018 S16·E7 Hollywood Week: Part 2
March 26, 2018 S16·E6 Hollywood Week: Part 1
March 25, 2018 S16·E5 Auditions 5
March 19, 2018 S16·E4 Auditions 4
March 18, 2018 S16·E3 Auditions 3
March 12, 2018 S16·E2 Auditions 2
March 11, 2018 S16·E1 Auditions 1
April 7, 2016 S15·E23 Finale, Part 2
April 6, 2016 S15·E22 Top 3 Perform
March 31, 2016 S15·E21 Top 3 Perform
March 24, 2016 S15·E20 Top 4 Perform
March 17, 2016 S15·E19 Top 5 Perform
March 10, 2016 S15·E18 Top 6 Perform
March 3, 2016 S15·E17 Top 8 Perform
February 25, 2016 S15·E16 Top 10 Revealed and Perform
February 24, 2016 S15·E15 Wildcard Night: Judges Pick
February 18, 2016 S15·E14 Showcase #4: Judges Vote
February 17, 2016 S15·E13 Showcase #3: 2nd 12 Performances
February 11, 2016 S15·E12 Showcase #2: Judges Vote
February 10, 2016 S15·E11 Showcase #1: 1st 12 Performances
February 4, 2016 S15·E10 Hollywood Round #4
February 3, 2016 S15·E9 Hollywood Round #3
January 28, 2016 S15·E8 Hollywood Round #2
January 27, 2016 S15·E7 Hollywood Round #1
January 21, 2016 S15·E6 Auditions - Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Francisco: Part 2
January 20, 2016 S15·E5 Auditions - Atlanta, Philadelphia and San Francisco: Part 1
January 14, 2016 S15·E4 Auditions - Denver & Little Rock
January 13, 2016 S15·E3 Auditions - Philadelphia
January 7, 2016 S15·E2 Auditions - Little Rock & San Francisco
January 6, 2016 S15·E1 Auditions - Denver & Savannah
May 13, 2015 S14·E30 Season Finale - Winner Announced
May 12, 2015 S14·E29 Season Finale - Top 2 Perform
May 6, 2015 S14·E28 Top 3 Perform
April 29, 2015 S14·E27 Top 4 Perform
April 22, 2015 S14·E26 Top 5 Perform
April 15, 2015 S14·E25 Top 6 Perform
April 8, 2015 S14·E24 Top 7 Perform
April 1, 2015 S14·E23 Top 8 Perform
March 25, 2015 S14·E22 Top 9 Perform
March 19, 2015 S14·E21 Top 10 Perform
March 12, 2015 S14·E20 Top 12 Perform
March 11, 2015 S14·E19 Top 12 Finalists Revealed
March 5, 2015 S14·E18 Top 8 Girls Perform
March 4, 2015 S14·E17 Top 8 Guys Perform
February 26, 2015 S14·E16 Top 12 Girls Perform
February 25, 2015 S14·E15 Top 12 Boys Perform
February 19, 2015 S14·E14 Showcase: Part 2
February 18, 2015 S14·E13 Showcase: Part 1
February 12, 2015 S14·E12 Hollywood Week: Part 4
February 11, 2015 S14·E11 Hollywood Week: Part 3
February 5, 2015 S14·E10 Hollywood Week: Part 2
February 4, 2015 S14·E9 Hollywood Week: Part 1
January 29, 2015 S14·E8 Auditions #8 - San Francisco: Part 2
January 28, 2015 S14·E7 Auditions #7 - San Francisco: Part 1
January 22, 2015 S14·E6 Auditions #6 - New Orleans
January 21, 2015 S14·E5 Auditions #5 - Minneapolis
January 15, 2015 S14·E4 Auditions #4 - New York
January 14, 2015 S14·E3 Auditions #3 - Kansas City
January 8, 2015 S14·E2 Auditions #2 - Nashville & Kansas City
January 7, 2015 S14·E1 Auditions #1 - Nashville
May 21, 2014 S13·E39 Winner Announced
May 20, 2014 S13·E38 Two Finalists Compete
May 15, 2014 S13·E37 Results Show: 1 of 3 Voted Off
May 14, 2014 S13·E36 3 Finalists Compete
May 8, 2014 S13·E35 Results Show: 1 of 4 Voted Off
May 7, 2014 S13·E34 4 Finalists Perform
May 1, 2014 S13·E33 Results Show: 1 of 5 Voted Off
April 30, 2014 S13·E32 5 Finalists Perform
April 24, 2014 S13·E31 Results Show: 1 of 6 Voted Off
April 23, 2014 S13·E30 6 Finalists Perform
April 17, 2014 S13·E29 Results Show
April 16, 2014 S13·E28 7 Finalists Perform
April 10, 2014 S13·E27 Results Show

…and 499 earlier episodes not shown. Long-running show.

American Idol cast