The 2026 Emmy Awards are almost here, and this year's ceremony has plenty of reasons to tune in, from a first-time host to major showdowns involving The Pitt, Hacks, Widow's Bay, and Pluribus.
The 78th Emmy Awards will take place Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and will air live coast-to-coast on NBC, with live and on-demand streaming available on Peacock.
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesHere's everything you need to know about how to watch the 2026 Emmys, who's hosting, the shows leading the nominations, red carpet coverage, and what to watch for on television's biggest night.
When Are the 2026 Emmy Awards?
The 78th Emmy Awards air Monday, Sept. 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The ceremony is scheduled to run from 8 to 11 p.m. ET and will originate from the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
This year's Emmys actually span three nights. The first two ceremonies, were held Sept. 5 and 6, and covered the Creative Arts categories. Those ceremonies will be edited into a special airing Saturday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FXX, followed by streaming on Hulu the next day.
The Sept. 14 broadcast is the main televised event featuring many of the night's biggest acting and series categories.
© AFP via Getty ImagesHow to Watch the 2026 Emmys Live
The simplest way to watch the 2026 Emmy Awards is on NBC.
NBC will broadcast the ceremony live across the country beginning at 8 p.m. ET and 5 p.m. PT. Viewers who prefer streaming can watch the ceremony live on Peacock. Peacock will also offer the awards on demand.
© Getty ImagesFor viewers in Canada, the Television Academy says the ceremony will air live on CTV and Crave at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
How to Watch the 2026 Emmys Red Carpet
Anyone more interested in the fashion arrivals than the trophies can start watching several hours before the ceremony.
E!'s coverage begins with Live From E!: Countdown to the Emmys from 5 to 6 p.m. ET, followed by Live From E!: The Emmys from 6 to 8 p.m. ET.
© Getty ImagesCNN and Variety will also team up for Red Carpet Live: TV's Biggest Night beginning at 5 p.m. ET. The special will be hosted by CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister and Variety co-president and co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh and will be available to CNN streaming subscribers.
Who Is Hosting the 2026 Emmys?
Mariska Hargitay will host the 78th Emmy Awards, putting the longtime Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star at the center of the ceremony during NBC's 100th anniversary year.
Hargitay called hosting the show a "great honor," adding, "Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career."
© Getty Images for TIMEHer selection has an obvious NBC connection. Hargitay has played Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU for 27 seasons, and the series heads into its 28th season this fall. She previously won an Emmy for the role.
Television Academy Chair Cris Abrego described Hargitay as "one of television's most beloved stars" when her hosting role was announced.
The assignment also arrives during a notable Emmy year for Hargitay herself. Her documentary My Mom Jayne, about her mother, actress Jayne Mansfield, won two Creative Arts Emmys ahead of the main ceremony.
Which Shows Have the Most 2026 Emmy Nominations?
Expect The Pitt to be one of the most closely watched shows of the evening. The HBO Max medical drama leads the drama field with 25 nominations. Hacks follows with 24 nominations, setting a new record for the most nominations for a comedy series in a single year. Widow's Bay received 19 nominations, while Pluribus earned 18.
The acting races also mix established stars with a substantial group of newcomers.
© Getty Images for Tribeca FestivaAmong this year's nominees are Steve Carell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Harrison Ford, Lisa Kudrow, Gary Oldman and Michelle Pfeiffer. First-time performer nominees include Leslie Bibb, Taylor Dearden, Charlie Hunnam, Chase Infiniti, Hamish Linklater, Megan SPaul W. Downs, Matthew Rhys, Jason Segel, Martin Shorttalter, Bad Bunny, and Connor Storrie.
Jason Bateman scored four nominations across multiple projects, while Quinta Brunson, and Noah Wyle each received three.
What Is Different About the 2026 Emmys?
There is a notable change to the awards format this year.
The Television Academy moved several categories away from the main three-hour NBC telecast and into the earlier Emmy ceremonies. Those categories include Writing for a Variety Series, Supporting Actor and Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, Directing for a Limited Series or Movie, and Writing for a Limited Series or Movie.
© FilmMagicThe Academy said the adjustment is designed to create a television broadcast that focuses more heavily on entertainment and the shows and performers viewers know.
That means some winners have already been crowned before the Sept. 14 ceremony.
Michael J. Fox Will Receive a Special Emmy Honor
One of the evening's biggest moments is expected to belong to Michael J. Fox.
Fox will receive the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award for his work advancing Parkinson's disease research and advocacy. The Television Academy will formally present him with the honor during the Sept. 14 NBC telecast.
© Getty ImagesFox founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000. According to the Television Academy, the foundation has supported more than $3 billion in research programs.
He is also an Emmy nominee this year, earning his 19th Emmy nomination for his guest performance in Shrinking. Fox has won five Emmys during his career.
Academy Chair Cris Abrego said Fox "continues to exemplify compassion, courage and service" while recognizing the actor's impact on Parkinson's research.
