When are the Oscars 2026? 98th Academy Awards Date and Key Details
The 98th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, 15 March 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM ET, which corresponds to 12:00 AM GMT on 16 March for viewers in the United Kingdom. This year's event marks the second consecutive time comedian Conan O'Brien will serve as the official host.
TL;DR
- Ceremony Date: 15 March 2026
- Venue: Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles
- Host: Conan O'Brien
- Major Contender: Sinners (16 nominations)
What Happened
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) officially scheduled the 98th Academy Awards for 15 March 2026. The announcement of nominees occurred on 22 January 2026 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater, presented by Danielle Brooks and Lewis Pullman. Ryan Coogler’s film "Sinners" set a historic record by receiving 16 nominations, surpassing the previous record of 14 held by "Titanic" and "La La Land". Final voting for the winners began on 26 February 2026 and concluded on 5 March 2026. The production team, led by executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, confirmed the return of director Hamish Hamilton for the broadcast.
Key Developments
A significant structural change for the 98th ceremony is the introduction of the Best Casting category, the first new competitive award added since 2001. Comedian Conan O'Brien was reappointed as host following high viewership ratings for the 2025 telecast. Presenters confirmed for the evening include previous winners Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, Mikey Madison, and Zoe Saldaña. The Academy also implemented a stricter voting rule requiring members to confirm they have viewed all nominated films in a category before submitting their final ballot.
Why This Matters
The 2026 ceremony is the penultimate event before the Academy's centennial celebration in 2028. The record-breaking 16 nominations for "Sinners" represents a shift in Academy recognition toward genre-bending cinema. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Casting category provides long-awaited industry validation for casting directors. The dual-platform broadcast on ABC and Hulu aims to stabilise audience figures after several years of fluctuating traditional television ratings.
What Happens Next
Following the main ceremony on 15 March, the Academy will hold the Scientific and Technical Awards on 28 April 2026. This event will take place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Preparations for the 99th Academy Awards are expected to begin in May 2026 with the release of the updated campaign regulations.
FAQ
What time do the 2026 Oscars start in the UK?
The main ceremony begins at 7:00 PM ET on 15 March, which is 12:00 AM GMT on Monday, 16 March 2026, for UK audiences. The red carpet coverage typically starts 90 minutes prior to the main event.
Who is hosting the 98th Academy Awards?
Conan O'Brien is the host for the 2026 ceremony, marking his second year in a row in the role. The Academy confirmed his return in early 2025 following positive critical reception of his previous performance.
Where is the 2026 Oscars venue?
The ceremony will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. This venue has served as the official home of the Academy Awards since 2002.
Which movie has the most nominations in 2026?
The film "Sinners" leads the field with 16 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director for Ryan Coogler. It is followed closely by "One Battle After Another" with 13 nominations.
What is the new award category for the 2026 Oscars?
The 98th Academy Awards features the debut of the Best Achievement in Casting category. This is the first new competitive category added to the Oscars lineup in 25 years.
