Everything to Know About the 2026 Emmys, From How to Watch to the Nominees
'The Pitt,' 'Pluribus,' 'Hacks,' and 'Widow's Bay' lead this year's nominations.
Fall is here, which means it's time for television's biggest night. The Emmys are tonight, and Hollywood is getting ready to celebrate the past year in TV.
This year's awards show features exciting changes, from a new network hosting the festivities to one of television's biggest icons as a first-time host. The top nominees range from pop culture's buzziest hits to beloved comedies in their final season, to debut shows that became word-of-mouth sensations. Read on for everything you need to know about the 2026 Emmys, including how to tune into the ceremony, which A-listers are set to walk the red carpet, and which must-see TV shows are expected to win big.
Everything to Know About the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards
The stars of Gilmore Girls (Alexis Biedel and Lauren Graham) reunite at the 2025 Emmy Awards.
When are the 2026 Emmys?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on NBC on Monday, September 14 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This year's ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in downtown L.A.
How can I watch the 2026 Emmys?
Viewers with cable can tune into their local NBC channel or use their cable login to watch from a computer or phone via the CBS website or app.
The Emmys can also be streamed on Peacock. However, the ceremony will only stream live for subscribers to one of Peacock's two premium tiers. The app's standard Premium tier with ads starts at $13/month, while the ad-free Premium Plus tier starts at $20/month. (Since the Emmys are a live event, it will still air with ads for Premium Plus subscribers.)
The full ceremony will be available to stream on demand the following day for subscribers in the U.S. only, including those at the Peacock Select tier (at $9/month). Though Peacock's official website doesn't offer free trials, Prime Video subscribers can get a seven-day free trial by signing up for the Premium Plus plan through Amazon's streamer.
The stage for the 2025 Emmys.
If you neither have cable nor a Peacock Premium subscription, there are still ways to watch the Emmys. Live streaming TV services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV Stream, Fubo, and Sling TV provide access to NBC (and most offer free trials).
Viewers outside of the U.S. can watch the Emmys live through their regional networks, or catch them on-demand on Peacock. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.
How can I watch the 2026 Emmys red carpet?
Fashion fans will have multiple options to follow the Emmys red carpet. E!'s annual coverage will start at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT, with the hosts and commentators to be announced. Meanwhile, CNN and Variety will co-host red-carpet coverage, available to watch on the CNN website and streaming app for subscribers.
Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco walk the red carpet at the 2026 Emmys.
Who is hosting the 2026 Emmys?
Actress, producer, director, activist, and national treasure Mariska Hargitay will host this year's Emmy Awards. The television icon and Emmy winner will make her awards-hosting debut, ahead of her 28th season playing Olivia Benson on Law Order: SVU.
"I’m at a place in my life where I am excited about doing new things. And if not now, when?" she told Deadline in August. "It’s such an extraordinary opportunity and I am excited about it. I’m excited to see all the people. I’m excited to celebrate people’s work. I guess I don’t really see it as about me. I see it about being part of something so historic."
The cast of Law Order (l-r Ice-T, Christopher Meloni, Mariska Hargitay, Epatha Merkerson, and Tony Goldwyn) attend the 2025 Emmys.
Who is presenting at the 2026 Emmys?
The Television Academy has revealed two of the iconic shows that will receive tributes at this year's ceremony. Buffy the Vampire Slayer stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and David Boreanaz will celebrate the show's 30th anniversary. Meanwhile, the three original Charlie's Angels—Kate Jackson, Cheryl Ladd, and Jaclyn Smith—will reunite for the 50th anniversary of the TV series that began the franchise.
The rest of the presenters announced so far includes Odessa A'zion, Stephen Amell, Awkwafina, Noah Beck, Jessica Belkin, Scott Caan, Linda Cardellini, Macaulay Culkin, Jamie Lee Curtis, Alan Cumming, Emma D'Arcy, Sally Field, Julia Garner, LL Cool J, Jon Hamm, David Harbour, Woody Harrelson, Hassie Harrison, Marcello Hernández, Paul Anthony Kelly, Peter Krause, Thaddeus LaGrone, Dan Levy, Julianna Margulies, Matthew McConaughey, John Mulaney, Annie Murphy, Brooks Nader, Niecy Nash-Betts, Keke Palmer, Amanda Peet, Amy Poehler, Florence Pugh, Emmy Rossum, Rachel Sennott, SofíaVergara, Shailene Woodley, and Zendaya.
As for special segments, Michael J. Fox is set to grace the stage to receive this year's Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, in honor of his "transformative contributions to Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy," per the Academy.
Who is performing at the 2026 Emmys?
Though the Emmys typically aren't known for musical performances, this year's In Memorium segment may be one of the night's biggest moments. Though it hasn't been confirmed by the Academy, country legend Reba McEntire will reportedly perform a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Grammy nominee Noah Kahan has been confirmed to lead the overall segment, with a performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
Who is nominated at the 2026 Emmys?
We can expect some exciting races this year. The Pitt's second season is both the most-recognized show of the year and the top nominee in the drama category, with 25 nominations overall. Other top drama nominees include Pluribus, with 18 nominations, followed by Fallout (9), A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (9), Slow Horses (9), and The Gilded Age (8).
Meanwhile, the comedy categories are expected to be a showdown between Hacks, which racked up 24 nominations for its final season, and Widow's Bay, the most successful debut series of the year with 19 noms. The rest of the notable comedy nominees include Spider-Noir (11), Shrinking (9), The Bear (8), Margo's Got Money Troubles (8), and Abbott Elementary (7).
In the limited or anthology series category, the second season of Beef leads the pack with 16 noms, followed closely by DTF St. Louis (13), with The Beast in Me (9). Other notable shows include All Her Fault (7), Black Rabbit (7), and Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. Carolyn Bessette (6).
Finally, notable unscripted specials and reality shows include Saturday Night Live (11), The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (9), RuPaul’s Drag Race (9), Jimmy Kimmel Live! (6), The Muppet Show (6), and The Traitors (6).
