The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Ampas) has confirmed that Conan O’Brien will return as host of the Oscars for the 2026 ceremony, following his widely praised debut earlier this month. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on 15 March 2026.
Ampas announced that producers Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney, along with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, will also return. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang said O’Brien “was the perfect host – skilfully guiding us through the evening with humour, warmth and reverence”.
O’Brien quipped about his return, stating: “The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech.” This was a nod to Brody’s lengthy acceptance speech for best actor for The Brutalist.
O’Brien’s debut was described as “refreshingly madcap” by the Guardian, succeeding Jimmy Kimmel after four years. His jokes targeted Wicked, Emilia Pérez star Karla Sofía Gascón, and Donald Trump. Ratings for the 2025 telecast were 19.7 million viewers, up 1% from 2024, after accounting for mobile and PC viewing.
