New Year’s Eve 2026: How to Watch and Who’s Performing Live
The new year is almost here, and that means, for many, staying up late and putting on the famous Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, which has been hosted by Ryan Seacrest since 2005. Broadcasting from Times Square in New York City, the dropping of the ball on New Year's Eve is a legendary event, and, regardless of where you live in the world, something you might want to have on, assuming you're not out and about when midnight strikes.
Here's how to watch the New Year's Eve ball drop for 2026, plus who's performing at the big show.
How to Watch the 2026 New Year's Eve Ball Drop
The NYE show, hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora will start airing live at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on December 31, 2025. There are basically two ways to watch it: Live on ABC or the next day.
If you don't have a regular cable plan and can't watch ABC, you can sign up for Hulu+ LIVE TV, or another live TV streaming service like Fubo or YouTube TV. You can also listen to the live show on the radio via the iHeartRadio app. It will also be broadcast on these local radio channels: Z100 New York, KIIS-FM Los Angeles, KISS FM Chicago, Q102 Philly, and THE NEW MIX 102.9 Dallas, as well as other local radio stations.
Who is Performing for the 2026 New Year's Eve Ball Drop?
There will be several different hosts for the show, including Ryan Seacrest and Rita Ora in NYC, Chance the Rapper in Chicago, Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough in Las Vegas, and Roselyn Sánchez in Puerto Rico.
Several musical guests will be included, some in NYC in Times Square, and some performing at venues in other cities.
Live NYC 2026 New Year's Eve Performers
- Diana Ross
- Ciara
- LE SSERAFIM
- Little Big Town
- Maren Morris
Live West Coast 2026 New Year's Eve Performers
- 4 Non Blondes
- 50 Cent
- 6lack
- AJR
- The All-American Rejects
- BigXthaPlug
- Charlie Puth
- Demi Lovato
- DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live! featuring Busta Rhymes
- T.I., and Wyclef Jean
- Goo Goo Dolls
- Jess Glynne
- Jessie Murph
- Jordan Davis, KPop Demon Hunters: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI)
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah Carey
- Madison Beer
- New Kids on the Block
- OneRepublic
- Pitbull joined by Lil Jon and Filmore
- Rick Springfield
- Russell Dickerson
- Tucker Wetmore
- Zara Larsson
Other New Year's Eve 2026 Performers
In addition to the shows on the east and west coasts, the show will also include broadcasts from live performances from Nashville, Chicago, and Puerto Rico. Those headliners include:
- Daddy Yankee (Puerto Rico)
- Chappell Roan (Kansas City)
- Post Malone (Nashville)
- Chance the Rapper, doing double-duty as host, and performing with Jamila Woods.