Conan O’Brien to Host 2026 Oscars Following Highly Praised Debut

The Academy confirms Conan O’Brien’s return as host for the 98th Oscars, scheduled for March 15, 2026, after a successful 2025 ceremony.

Conan O’Brien will return to host the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026, live from the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The announcement follows O’Brien’s well-received hosting debut at the 97th Oscars, which achieved a five-year high in viewership with 19.69 million viewers and strong ratings in key demographics.
Producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, along with Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, will also return to lead the 2026 broadcast, with Sweeney reprising his role as a writer.
O’Brien’s comedic style and engaging performance were praised by Academy leaders and Disney executives, who highlighted his ability to balance humor, warmth, and reverence.
The 2025 Oscars also broke social media engagement records, surpassing the Grammys and Super Bowl in interactions, and marked Hulu’s first year streaming the event despite some technical challenges.