Conan O’Brien is set to return as host of the 98th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.
“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien joked, referencing this year’s Best Actor winner, whose acceptance speech ran over five minutes.
The announcement follows O’Brien’s successful debut as Oscars host at the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025, which drew over 19 million viewers, making it the top prime-time entertainment broadcast of the 2024-2025 season.
O’Brien Excited to Return
Before his first time hosting, O’Brien shared his enthusiasm for the role in an interview with Good Morning America.
“I have an amazing team of writers. We’ve been going through tons of ideas, and I’m excited because I grew up watching the Oscars—it’s something that’s imprinted on my memory,” he said in February.
For the 2026 ceremony, O’Brien will once again team up with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who return for their third year, along with producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, the latter of whom is also a writer for the show.
When & Where to Watch
The 98th Academy Awards will air live on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on ABC. The ceremony will once again take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
Stay tuned for more updates as Hollywood’s biggest night approaches!
