where can we watch the ball drop

You can watch the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square from home via free online streams starting around 6 p.m. ET on December 31, 2025. The official Times Square website provides commercial-free coverage of the festivities and countdown.

Top Streaming Options

Multiple platforms broadcast the event live, capturing the crystal ball's descent at 11:59 p.m. ET from One Times Square. Reliable choices include:

• TimesSquareNYC.org and TimesSquareBall.net : Hosts the primary webcast with hosts like Jeremy Hassell and Jonathan Bennett, plus performer interviews and NYC's 400th birthday celebrations.

• Social Media : Free streams on Times Square's Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts for mobile viewing.

• Live TV Services : Available on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo if subscribed, often carrying CNN, ABC, or Univision specials with stars like Carrie Underwood and Jonas Brothers.

In-Person Viewing Spots

For those in NYC, prime areas stretch along Broadway from 43rd to 50th streets and Seventh Avenue up to 59th Street, with checkpoints at 49th, 52nd, and 56th streets on Sixth and Eighth Avenues. Crowds gather early despite the cold—recent tests confirmed the ball's lights and mechanics are ready.

Broadcast Specials

Catch extended coverage on major networks leading into the drop:

• CNN's coverage with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
• ABC's special featuring Ryan Seacrest.
• Univision for Spanish-language viewers.

Times Square's event draws over a billion global viewers annually, blending carnival vibes, hugs amid the chill, and that iconic 60-second descent.

TL;DR : Stream free at TimesSquareNYC.org from 6 p.m. ET or via Facebook/X—perfect for cozy home viewing.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.