Your Guide To The 98th Oscars®: Key Facts & Where To Watch This Year’s Show

Here’s everything you need to know before the red carpet rolls out, envelopes open, and speeches start

Every year, the Academy Awards®, also known as the Oscars®, invite us to look back at the movies that garnered the most critical acclaim. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® (AMPAS®) nominates and recognizes achievements in acting, directing, writing, and hard work that takes place behind the scenes. Here’s everything you need to know about the 98th Oscars®.

All About The 98th Annual Academy Awards®

When are the 98th Oscars®?

Tune in on Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Where can I watch the 98th Oscars®?

The ceremony airs on ABC and streams live on Hulu for all subscribers.

Where are the 98th Oscars® held?

The Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles hosts the 2026 awards.

Who is hosting the 98th Oscars®?

Comedian Conan O’Brien returns as host for the second year in a row.

When will the 98th Oscars® nominations be announced?

Nominees will be announced on Thursday, January 22. The nominations will also stream on ABC News Live, the 24/7 streaming news channel available on Disney+ and Hulu.

Everything Else You Need To Know About The Oscars®

What are the Oscars®?

The Oscars® (officially the Academy Awards®) are annual awards presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences® to recognize outstanding achievements in filmmaking, including acting, directing, writing, and technical crafts.

Who votes for the Oscar® winners?

Academy Award® winners and nominees voted on by eligible voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®. These include industry professionals across acting, directing, writing, and many other film crafts who have been invited to join the Academy. In most categories, each branch votes within its own discipline, with all branches voting for Best Picture.

Starting with the 98th Oscars®, members must watch all nominated films in a category to vote in that category in the final round.

When did the Oscars® start?

The awards first took place on May 16, 1929, making them the oldest entertainment awards ceremony.

How many Oscar® categories are there?

In 2026, there are 24 competitive award categories, including the brand new Best Casting category.

Who has won the most Oscars®?

Walt Disney holds the record for the most Oscars® won by an individual, with 22 competitive and four honorary awards.

Who are the Oscar® awards named after?

The origins of the nickname are unclear, but a popular theory is that Margaret Herrick, an Academy librarian, said the iconic statuette looked like her “Uncle Oscar,” and the name stuck. The Academy officially adopted the term in 1939.