American Idol Season 25 Premieres February 8
ABC will air the new season of American Idol beginning February 8, 2027, with Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood as judges.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Country
ABC confirmed its 2027 midseason premiere schedule on November 6, 2026, setting American Idol Season 25 to premiere February 8, 2027. The show's anniversary special, American Idol at 25, is scheduled to air February 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The premiere date and judge lineup give country and music fans a firm timeline for the next season of the long-running competition. ABC has now aired nine seasons of the show since reviving it in 2018 after its 15-season run on Fox.
The show has aired 15 seasons on Fox and nine seasons on ABC, with Season 25 continuing the ABC run. Season 25 auditions were conducted through Idol Across America, a virtual search covering all 50 states and Washington D.C., including VIP Day spots for 250 singers.
The players
Luke Bryan
Country singer and American Idol judge, announced the Season 25 judge lineup at a Nashville concert.
Carrie Underwood
Country music star who previously judged American Idol Seasons 23 and 24, returning for Season 25.
Lionel Richie
Motown-era singer and songwriter serving as an American Idol judge for Season 25, who has recently dealt with health issues.
The details
Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood will serve as judges, with Underwood returning after judging Seasons 23 and 24 in place of Katy Perry. Bryan announced the lineup at a Nashville concert with Underwood joining him on stage, while Richie shared his news by video message.
Timeline
August 25, 2026: Season 25 auditions begin, including VIP Day.
November 6, 2026: ABC confirms its 2027 midseason premiere schedule.
February 1, 2027: American Idol at 25 anniversary special airs.
February 8, 2027: American Idol Season 25 premieres on ABC.
Industry Dynamics
The Season 25 premiere extends the nine-season ABC run that began when the network revived American Idol in 2018 after its 15 seasons on Fox. The lineup pairs country stars Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood with Lionel Richie, reflecting the show's continued reliance on established music names to anchor its judging panel.
Viewers can watch Season 25 on ABC beginning February 8, 2027, with the anniversary special airing February 1. Aspiring singers can audition through the Idol Across America virtual search, which covered all 50 states and Washington D.C.
The takeaway
Mark February 8, 2027 on your calendar if you want to follow Season 25 from the start. The judging panel of Bryan, Richie, and Underwood gives country fans a familiar reason to tune in.
What happens next
Hollywood Week is expected to follow the auditions, though its dates have not yet been announced.
Further reading
For more on the genre, see the Country music section.
