Oscars 2026 Ceremony Approaches with New Awards and Security Concerns

Conan O'Brien returns as host as the Academy introduces Achievement in Casting and prepares for potential threats.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 8:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 98th Academy Awards are set to take place on March 15, 2026 at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. This year's ceremony will be broadcast on ABC and streamed live on Hulu, with pre-show coverage beginning at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT. The main event kicks off at 7pm ET/4pm PT/11pm GMT and is expected to run for three hours. Leading the pack of nominees is "Sinners" with a record-breaking 16 nominations, surpassing the previous tie of 14 held by "All About Eve", "Titanic", and "La La Land". The Academy is introducing a new award this year for Achievement in Casting, recognizing the artistry and impact of casting choices. The ceremony will also take place under heightened security following an FBI warning about a potential retaliatory drone strike. Conan O'Brien is returning as host for the second consecutive year, promising an even more elaborate show.

Why it matters

The Oscars remain one of the most prestigious and widely watched awards ceremonies in the entertainment industry. This year's event marks the introduction of a new award category focused on casting, highlighting the importance of this often overlooked aspect of filmmaking. Additionally, the security concerns surrounding the ceremony reflect the changing landscape and potential threats facing high-profile events. How the Academy addresses these challenges will be closely watched.

The details

The 98th Academy Awards will feature a diverse group of presenters including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Jimmy Kimmel, Delroy Lindo, and Nicole Kidman. Performances will include "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters and "I Lied to You" from "Sinners", with elaborate staging. Josh Groban and the Los Angeles Master Chorale will also perform. This year also marks the first time Academy voters are required to verify they have actually seen the films they are voting on, following controversy around Timothée Chalamet's recent comments dismissing opera and ballet.

  • The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
  • The pre-show coverage will begin at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT.
  • The main ceremony will kick off at 7pm ET/4pm PT/11pm GMT.

The players

Conan O'Brien

The host of the 98th Academy Awards, returning for the second consecutive year.

Nina Gold

One of the nominees for the new Achievement in Casting award, for her work on "Hamnet".

Timothée Chalamet

An actor whose recent comments dismissing opera and ballet have sparked debate and criticism from the arts community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This year's Oscars ceremony will mark a significant shift in the awards landscape, with the introduction of a new category recognizing the crucial role of casting, as well as heightened security concerns that reflect the changing nature of high-profile events. How the Academy navigates these challenges will be closely watched by the industry and audiences alike.