The 2026 Oscars ceremony is expected to run a little over three hours, roughly around 3 to 3.5 hours from the official start time.

Quick Scoop

  • The 98th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
  • The main Oscars broadcast is scheduled to begin in prime time on ABC and Hulu in the U.S. and is described as lasting over three hours.
  • A detailed viewing guide for the 2026 show notes you can “expect the show to run about three and a half hours,” with Best Picture landing near midnight Eastern.
  • That means if it starts around 7–8 p.m. Eastern, you’ll likely be watching until about 10:30–11:30 p.m. Eastern, depending on speeches, musical numbers, and any overruns.

Why it’s not an exact number

Award shows like the Oscars don’t publish a precise fixed runtime because:

  • Speeches can run long or be cut short.
  • Live performances, tributes, and surprise moments can add minutes.

So the best realistic answer to “how long is the Oscars 2026?” is:

  • Plan for about three and a half hours for the ceremony itself.
  • Add extra time if you also want red carpet pre-shows, which can start several hours earlier.

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