How to Watch the 2026 Oscars Red Carpet: What Channel, Time

The 98th Academy Awards are inching closer, and it won’t get much closer than when the stars hit the red carpet Sunday night.

This year’s awards ceremony will once again be hosted by Conan O’Brien, while the nominees feature some of Hollywood’s heaviest hitters, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, Sean Penn, Michael B. Jordan, Emma Stone, Kate Hudson and Elle Fanning.

“Sinners” is up for 16 nominations, including best picture, making it the most nominated movie in Oscars history, while “One Battle After Another” is next with 13 nods. “Frankenstein,” “Sentimental Value” and “Marty Supreme” notched nine and “Hamnet” scored eight.

Before the hardware is handed out and the acceptance speeches are made, though, you can get a peek at the stars in attendance when they walk the red carpet, which is traditionally lush with celebrities wearing memorable and iconic outfits.

Here’s what you need to know to gear up for Hollywood’s biggest night.

When Are the 2026 Oscars?

The official 2026 Oscars ceremony will take place live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

How Can I Watch the 2026 Oscars Red Carpet?

ABC will broadcast a live, 90-minute red-carpet special, “On The Red Carpet at the Oscars: Countdown to Oscars,” beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. “On the Red Carpet at the Oscars” then takes place at 5 p.m. ET before “The Oscars Red Carpet Show” takes over at 6:30 p.m. ET, leading into the ceremony.

You can watch those shows on ABC or stream them live on OnTheRedCarpet.com and via the On the Red Carpet Facebook and YouTube pages.

E! will also offer its own red carpet special, beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

How Can I Watch the 2026 Oscars?

O’Brien, who hosted the Academy Awards in 2025, will return to emcee the show this year. The event will air on ABC and can also be streamed on ABC.com and Hulu.

The show will also be available to stream on Hulu, YouTube TV, AT&T TV and Fubo. Several of these services offer free trials.