Grab your hairbrush-microphones, because Australian Idol is back in 2026 on Channel Seven!
The network confirmed that the reality TV juggernaut is making a triumphant return at its media upfronts event on October 22.
And thankfully, it is days away!
Find out the air date, hosts, judges and live show dates below.
When does Australian Idol 2026 air?
The 2026 season of Australian Idol will air on Monday, February 2, on Channel Seven and 7 Plus.
Once again, contestants will compete for a highly-coveted Golden Ticket, to make it through to the top 30.
Then, they will undergo transformations and battle it out in the hopes of making it through to the top 12, and the live performances.
Along with being named the 11th Australian Idol, the winner will receive $100,000 in prize money, an exclusive recording package with Hive Sound Studios, marketing and social media support from The Annex, and VIP tickets to the ARIAs and TV WEEK Logie Awards.
In the lead-up to the show’s return, Channel Seven has shared a series of auditions to get excited about.
In an audition shared on January 13, we meet Perth local Charlie Moon, who sings Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish. He told the judges that the song meant a great deal to him.
“I think of my mum when I sing this song,” he shared. “Unfortunately, my mum passed away; I was her full-time carer.”
In the end, the judges were left in tears.
A month before that, we met shy tradie Kalani, who also blew the judges away with his first audition.
The show has already carved out careers for Australian greats, including Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy, so we’re very excited to see a new batch of singers audition across the country.
With a 15 per cent jump in viewers between 2024 and 2025, Seven has promised that this will be its “biggest season yet”.
On November 18, the network also revealed that it’s “set up to be the toughest season” ever.
Who are the judges on Australian Idol 2026?
The good news is that Marcia Hines, Kyle Sandilands, and Amy Shark are here to stay!
“We’ve found some absolute freaks of talent this year – the kind of voices that make you stop breathing for a second. It’s not the old Idol anymore; it’s fresh, it’s raw and it’s a proper ride,” Kyle said.
You can expect some jaw-dropping auditions, disagreements at the desk, truly unforgettable people and very unexpected moments,” Amy added.
Who is hosting Australian Idol 2026?
Australian Idol alumni Ricki-Lee Coulter and TV host, DJ, and radio presenter Scott Tweedie, are also returning to host the show.
“This year, we have a lot of depth. There are many singer-songwriters across all genres who not only have a voice but also have something to say and they’re ready to share it,” Ricki-Lee said.
When are the live Australian Idol 2026 shows?
Usually, the Australian Idol auditions happen mid-year, and the top 30 performances are filmed later in the year.
Fans had the opportunity to secure tickets to watch the top 30 on October 19, so it’s fair to say that it’s still a while off.
At this show, fans had the chance to see the final stages of the auditions and get a “sneak peek” at the singers who are possibly qualifying for the live shows.
We don’t have any other dates, but we promise to keep you posted!
