The judges on American Idol for the 2026 season (Season 24 on ABC) are Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest returning as host.

Quick Scoop: American Idol 2026 Judges

  • Carrie Underwood – Former Idol winner turned judge , back for her second season on the panel in 2026.
  • Luke Bryan – Country star returning for what is now his ninth season as a judge on the ABC era of the show.
  • Lionel Richie – Music legend continuing his long run on the judging panel alongside Bryan.
  • Ryan Seacrest – Long‑time host, confirmed to be back again for the 2026 season.

What’s officially confirmed?

  • ABC and entertainment outlets reported that Season 24 (airing in 2026) will keep the same three‑judge lineup from 2025: Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
  • Coverage also notes that Seacrest remains as host, maintaining continuity for the show into the 2026 season.

Why this lineup matters

  • Underwood brings the “winner‑to‑judge” nostalgia factor plus current country‑pop star power.
  • Bryan and Richie provide long‑running chemistry and stability after the earlier Katy Perry era on ABC.

Bottom line: If you tune into American Idol in 2026, expect to see Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie behind the desk, with Ryan Seacrest running the show.

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