The 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards are one of the most anticipated events in the entertainment calendar, celebrating the greatest achievements in film from the previous year. This year’s ceremony promises excitement, big surprises, and plenty of star-studded moments as Hollywood’s elite gather to honor excellence in cinema.
Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from the schedule, teams, format, and venue to how to watch 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards live stream anywhere in the world.
What Are the Oscars?
The Academy Awards, commonly referred to as the Oscars, are annual awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking. Since their inception in 1929, the Oscars have become the most prestigious awards in the movie industry, attracting global attention and billions of viewers each year.
2026 Oscars: Date & Time
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on:
Sunday, March 15, 2026
Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Live broadcast starts at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
This year’s Oscars will once again follow the tradition of honoring the best films of the prior year, with nominees and winners celebrated across a wide range of categories.
Live Stream: How to Watch the 2026 Oscars
For fans around the world, watching the 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards live is a highlight of the year. While traditional television viewing remains popular, streaming options have grown in importance:
Television Broadcast
The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC in the United States, reaching millions of viewers coast-to-coast.
Online & International Streaming
Besides ABC, international broadcasters and streaming platforms typically carry the Oscars in more than 200 territories worldwide. Depending on your location, you may be able to watch the ceremony via:
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Official Oscars partners in your country
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Regional TV networks
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Official online streaming platforms
To ensure the best viewing experience, check local listings closer to the date for exact streaming details and availability in your region.
Host & Ceremony Details
Once again, the 98th Academy Awards will be hosted by acclaimed comedian and TV personality Conan O’Brien, who returns for a second consecutive year behind the Oscars podium, bringing humor and charm to the ceremony.
This year’s live broadcast will include all 24 awards categories, including a new Achievement in Casting prize — a historic addition marking the first new category since 2001.
Nominees & Announcement Timeline
Nominees for the 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards will be announced on:
Thursday, January 22, 2026
Before that, shortlist and voting timelines are as follows:
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Shortlist announcements: Around December 16, 2025
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Nominations voting: January 12–16, 2026
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Final voting: February 26–March 5, 2026
These nominations will recognize excellence across all major film categories — from Best Picture and Best Director to acting, technical, and creative awards.
Major Categories to Watch
At the 2026 Oscars, fans and industry watchers around the world will be paying attention to the biggest awards of the night, including:
Best Picture
The most coveted prize of the night, awarded to the year’s top film.
Best Director
Honoring visionary leadership behind the camera.
Best Actor & Actress
Celebrating outstanding leading performances.
Supporting Categories
Including Supporting Actor & Actress.
Technical Awards
Such as editing, sound, visual effects, and production design.
New Category – Achievement in Casting
This ceremony introduces a historic new award recognizing the critical role of casting directors — a first in Oscars history.
Red Carpet & Pre-Show Highlights
The Oscars red carpet is nearly as famous as the ceremony itself. Before the awards begin, fans can enjoy:
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Celebrity arrivals
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Fashion statements from Hollywood’s biggest stars
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Interviews and commentary from top entertainment hosts
The red carpet show typically precedes the main event by about 60–90 minutes and offers early glimpses into style, glamour, and the personalities attending the Oscars.
Voting and New Rules
For the 98th Oscars, the Academy has introduced updated rules for voting. All Academy members must now watch every nominated film in a category to be eligible to vote for that category’s winner — a move designed to ensure fairness and informed decisions.
International Viewers: Where to Watch
The Oscars reach a global audience, and depending on your country, you may have access to:
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Local TV networks broadcasting the event
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Regional streaming platforms
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Official Oscars coverage partners
Because of time zone differences, many international fans tune in early — or catch highlights and replays after the live broadcast.
The 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards continue to be a cultural landmark — celebrating artistic innovation, storytelling, and global cinematic achievements. It’s a night for filmmakers, actors, writers, technicians, and artists to be recognized for excellence in their craft.
With a mix of established stars, emerging talent, new award categories, and global live streaming access, the 2026 Oscars are shaping up to be an unforgettable celebration of cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – 2026 Oscars 98th Academy Awards
1. When and where will the 2026 Oscars (98th Academy Awards) take place?
The 98th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, March 15, 2026. The ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and will be broadcast live worldwide.
2. How can I watch the 2026 Oscars live?
The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC in the United States and streamed online through participating international partners in over 200 territories.
Note: Beginning in 2029, the Oscars will move to streaming exclusively on YouTube worldwide, but for 2026 it will still air on ABC.
3. What time does the live broadcast usually start?
The live broadcast typically begins in the early evening in the U.S. (e.g., 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT), with red carpet coverage starting about 1–1.5 hours before the main event.
4. When will the 2026 Oscar nominations be announced?
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
5. What are the shortlists and how are they used?
Shortlists are preliminary lists of films that advance for consideration before the final nominees are selected. On December 16, 2025, the Academy announced shortlists in 12 categories, including Animated Short Film, Casting, Cinematography, Documentary Feature, International Feature and more.
6. Will there be any new categories at the 2026 Oscars?
Yes. The Academy introduced a new Achievement in Casting award for the 98th Oscars. Additionally, the ceremony will broadcast all 24 awards, including technical and performance categories.
7. Do Academy voters have to watch every nominated film?
For the 98th Oscars, Academy members are required to watch all nominated films in each category in order to vote in that category’s final round — a rule designed to ensure informed voting.
8. How many films are shortlisted in each category?
The number of shortlisted films varies by category — for example:
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15 for Animated Short Film
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10 for Casting
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16 for Cinematography
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15 for Documentary Feature
… and other categories such as International Feature, Sound and Visual Effects also have shortlists.
9. Will the red carpet be livestreamed?
Yes — typically the red carpet arrivals and pre-show coverage are livestreamed ahead of the main ceremony, offering fans a first look at fashion, celebrity interviews, and event atmosphere.
10. Where can international viewers watch the Oscars?
In addition to ABC in the U.S., many countries offer live broadcast or streaming through local partners. For example, previous ceremonies were available on streaming platforms like Hulu, YouTube TV, ITV1 (UK), and others.
11. Where can I find official updates about the Oscars?
For the latest official news, updates, and announcements about the Oscars, visit the Oscars’ official website or follow their verified social media profiles.
12. Are there any changes to how the Oscars will be streamed in the future?
Yes. Starting with the 2029 Oscars, the ceremony will be streamed exclusively on YouTube worldwide as part of a new multi-year partnership, making access free and globally available.