The 2026 Oscars host has officially been revealed, with The Academy announcing the host for the 98th ceremony set to take place next year.
Who is hosting the 2026 Oscars?
In a recent post on Instagram, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences confirmed that Conan O’Brien would be returning to host the 98th edition of the Academy Awards. The show is currently scheduled to air on March 15, 2026, and will be held at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
“Forget the pot of gold—this St. Patrick’s Day, we’re giving you something even better. Conan O’Brien is officially returning to host the 98th Oscars!” the post’s caption reads.
O’Brien’s turn as host at the 97th Oscars held earlier this month earned rave reviews. Alongside great ratings (the show had its highest viewership count in five years), O’Brien’s monologue and constant jokes throughout the show were praised across social media throughout the event.
“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars!” The Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement (via Variety). “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host — skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”
The 97th Oscars were a massive success overall, drawing 19.69 million viewers and over 100 million interactions across social media. According to The Academy, its online engagement was better than that of both the Grammys and the Super Bowl this year.
