When Is the Oscars 2026? Exact Date, Start Time, Early Nominee Buzz & How to Watch Live

The 98th Academy Awards—better known as the Oscars 2026—will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, live from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles. Below is everything movie lovers, industry insiders, and casual viewers need to know to mark their calendars and get ready for Hollywood’s biggest night. KEY DETAILS • Ceremony date: Sunday, March 15, 2026 • Local start time: 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET • Broadcaster: ABC in the United States, with worldwide syndication • Venue: Dolby Theatre, Ovation Hollywood WHY THE OSCARS 2026 DATE MATTERS Positioned midway through March, the 2026 Oscars close out an extended awards-season calendar. The schedule allows guilds and critics’ groups to finish voting before final Oscar ballots open on February 26 and close March 5, 2026. For film marketers, the mid-March show date means campaigns can leverage spring break viewership and a less-crowded sports calendar, potentially boosting ratings. FULL AWARDS TIMELINE • Shortlists announced: December 2025 • Nomination voting: January 8–13, 2026 • Oscar nominations revealed: Thursday, January 22, 2026 • Nominees luncheon: February 10, 2026 • Finals voting: February 26–March 5, 2026 • Oscars 2026 ceremony: March 15, 2026 WHAT TO EXPECT ON OSCAR NIGHT With films released in 2025 eligible, early contenders include big-budget crowd-pleasers, streaming platform prestige dramas, and international breakouts. Expect a stronger emphasis on theatrical exhibition after AMPAS reinstated minimum cinema-run requirements for Best Picture eligibility. HOW TO WATCH THE OSCARS 2026 ABC will air the show live and offer authenticated streaming via ABC.com and the ABC app. Cord-cutters can tune in through services such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and Sling TV. Internationally, major broadcasters including Sky (UK), CTV (Canada), and Nine Network (Australia) retain rights; check local listings for exact airtime. TIPS FOR OSCARS 2026 PARTY PLANNERS • Start the red-carpet pre-show one hour earlier to catch all fashion coverage. • Use printable ballots released after nominations to predict winners. • Feature a signature cocktail inspired by the Best Picture frontrunner to keep guests engaged through technical categories. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: WHEN IS THE OSCARS 2026? Answer: Sunday, March 15, 2026. Lock in the date now, set reminders on your phone, and get ready for a star-studded evening celebrating the best films of 2025.