BREAKING: ‘American Idol’ Returns In January With A Major Twist: Hollywood Week Moves To Music City

Judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie were on hand to help announce the news.

Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie; Photos via American Idol, YouTube

American Idol has just announced that the new season will kick off in January!

All three of the returning judges – Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan – appeared in the big reveal via the singing competition’s official Instagram. The academic themed post opened with a paper tacked to a bulletin board promoting that classes for “Idol University” will be begin on January 26, 2026.

Each of the judges made their way to the flyer and tore off the information on the pull-away tabs which included the show’s premiere date.
Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie; Photos via American Idol, YouTube

The caption read, “That’s a tear we couldn’t wait to make 👀 A new season of #AmericanIdol premieres Monday, January 26 on ABC and Stream on Hulu!”

This will mark the singing competition show’s ninth season on ABC and Hulu and 24^th overall. According to Deadline, there will be at least one major twist coming to the Idol in 2026. The outlet reports that Richie, Underwood, Bryan and the show’s longtime host, Ryan Seacrest will be making their way to Nashville with the lucky contestants who earn a golden ticket.

Instead of planting their roots in California as usual, they will instead head to the home of country music to introduce Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover. It’s unclear what exactly this week will entail, but it is expected to be an exciting shift for viewers as well as contestants.

Back in August, Idol used a similar scholastic theme to announce that the same judging panel would be reclaiming their roles in the next season.

“Class is back in session,” Bryan said in the video.

“This year, we’re majoring in music as we help launch your dreams,” Underwood continued as she packed up school lunches in her kitchen.

With his thermos of coffee in hand, Richie then introduced himself as the “professor of positivity.” Meanwhile, Bryan fittingly labeled himself “professor of fun…serious, but fun.”
Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan; Photo by Disney/Christopher Willard
Now, the judges are eager to kickstart the upcoming semester of “Idol University” with a whole new class of talented contestants.

This will mark Carrie Underwood’s second time serving as a judge on American Idol after joining the crew last year. She joined Bryan and Richie in their search for America’s next singing sensation.

The 2025 “Idol Across America” live virtual nationwide search wrapped up with a nationwide open call on Sept. 24. Next up, those who made it through to the next round will get to showcase their skills in front of the judges and America.

During its eight seasons on ABC, American Idol was named a top unscripted series. The most recent season finale ranked No. 1 on the night, No. 1 for the week in primetime, and earned the best Total Viewer audience in two years.

The new season is set to air Monday, January 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC and Stream on Hulu.