ABC has renewed American Idol for Season 25, and the search for the next winner begins in less than a month.

The network first confirmed the renewal on May 9, 2025, and Season 25 is now set for an early 2027 premiere on ABC, according to Primetimer. Auditions kick off August 25, 2026 through a virtual nationwide search called "Idol Across America," covering all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., as Variety reports.

The Idol Across America schedule runs from August 25 through September 28, with state-specific virtual audition dates. The opening day, August 25, is designated as VIP Day — limited to the first 250 registered singers. The first round is conducted with producers, who then advance contestants to the judge auditions.

For anyone who cannot make their state's assigned date, the show accepts video submissions instead. Contestants must be at least 15 years old by February 15, 2027 to be eligible.

Season 24 wrapped in May 2026 with Hannah Harper taking the crown. The judging panel for that season featured Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood, with Ryan Seacrest as host. Variety has not yet confirmed whether the same judges and host will return for Season 25.

American Idol is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, a part of Sony Pictures Television. The show originally launched on Fox in 2002 before ABC revived it in 2018, making Season 25 a milestone year for the franchise.

For aspiring contestants, the window between now and late September is the time to register. Every state gets its own audition slot, and the virtual format means nobody has to travel to a specific city to sing for producers — a laptop and a connection will do.