Soul Train Awards Will Return to Chicago in November 2026
The iconic music ceremony will broadcast on BET after a two-year hiatus.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in R&B
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The Soul Train Awards will return to the BET network on November 27, 2026, marking a comeback for the event after a two-year break. The ceremony will be hosted in Chicago, which serves as the original birthplace of the historic television program.
Why it matters
The ceremony aims to bridge the gap between the program's storied history and modern music audiences. By returning to its roots in Chicago, the production seeks to honor the legacy of the original Soul Train while re-establishing its presence on the network.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to broadcast at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET. This follows a two-year absence from the network schedule for the annual event.
The players
BET
BET is a prominent American television network that primarily focuses on programming for African American audiences.
Soul Train
Soul Train is a historic music and dance television program that significantly influenced American culture and R&B music.
The details
The production represents a revival of the classic brand, which originally began as a televised music program in Chicago. Beyond the awards, the brand maintains its connection to audiences through the Soul Train Cruise, which features ongoing performances by soul and R&B artists.
Timeline
November 7-14, 2026: Fall Soul Train Cruise sailing.
November 27, 2026: Soul Train Awards air on BET at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
February 14, 2027: Next Soul Train Cruise departs from Fort Lauderdale.
Industry Dynamics
The return of this legacy music brand highlights a broader trend in the entertainment industry of reviving established franchises to capitalize on nostalgia. This strategy positions the network to leverage historical cultural equity against modern streaming competitors.
Viewers can watch the broadcast live on the BET network beginning at 8 p.m. ET/PT on November 27, 2026. Fans interested in live musical experiences can also access the brand through upcoming cruise sailings departing from Fort Lauderdale.
The takeaway
The return of this awards ceremony underscores the enduring commercial value of legacy music media brands. Fans of soul and R&B music can anticipate the ceremony by monitoring network updates for performance announcements.
Further reading
Discover more about current movements and legacy artists in the R&B section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EURweb.
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