How to watch Dick Clarks New Years Rockin Eve to ring in 2026

Ringing in the new year from your couch this year? You certainly aren't alone — especially with the all-star lineup of performers from Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on hand to assist in the countdown to midnight.

The party is bigger than ever this year, as the New Year's Rockin' Eve special will be broadcast from multiple cities and time zones. Special co-hosts from beyond New York City and 42 different performers will join the festivities as we ring in 2026. Here's everything to know about Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 (a mouthful, I know) — including how to watch it with or without cable.

What time does the New Year's Rockin' Eve special start?

The annual New Year's Rockin' Eve special kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 and is scheduled to go until 4 a.m. ET on New Year's Day. This marks the longest broadcast in the show's history.

Who is hosting and performing?

Ryan Seacrest is returning to host Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve for the 21st year in a row. Rita Ora will be joining him as co-host for the third time.

Additionally, Chance the Rapper will host the first-ever Central Time Zone countdown from Chicago, while four-time Super Bowl champion Rob Gronkowski will team up with Dancing with the Stars host Julianne Hough for the broadcast in Las Vegas, and singer-songwriter Roselyn Sánchez will host from Puerto Rico.

As for performers, the lineup is stacked. Diana Ross will headline the New York City celebration with a medley of hits from her iconic catalog. Other Times Square performers include Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ciara, and LE SSERAFIM.

Other musical acts of the night include:

• Mariah Carey

• 50 Cent

• Demi Lovato

• Post Malone

• Chappell Roan

• Daddy Yankee

• KPop Demon Hunters: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X - EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI

• Chance the Rapper

• Lil Jon

• New Kids on the Block

• 4 Non Blondes

• 6lack

• AJR

• BigXthaPlug

• DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, T.I., and Wyclef Jean

• Filmore

• Goo Goo Dolls

• Jess Glynne

• Jessie Murph

• Jordan Davis

• Leon Thomas

• Madison Beer

• OneRepublic

• Pitbull

• Rick Springfield

• Russell Dickerson

• The All-American Rejects

• Tucker Wetmore

• Zara Larsson

How to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special live

For those with cable or over-the-air TV, you can tune your TV to your local ABC station or watch online via ABC.com or the ABC app by logging in through your pay TV service provider.

No cable access? Things get a bit more complicated. Your best (and easiest) option is to snag a digital antenna and get free access to local networks (if you live relatively close to broadcast towers). You also have the option of signing up for a live TV streaming service to catch the festivities live. These services essentially act as cable alternatives, allowing you live access to a well-rounded channel selection via your internet connection (rather than a cable connection). They're contract-free and often offer trials to test them out. That means you could very well watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2026 live for free, then cancel before being charged. We've rounded up the best of those live TV options (including free trials) below.

The best live TV streaming services (cable alternatives)

If you prefer a cable alternative, which will give you access to your local ABC station as well as hundreds of other live channels, there are a few live TV streaming services we recommend. And many of them offer free trials and introductory pricing. Here are a couple of options to choose from.

Watch for free: YouTube TV

YouTube TV's base plan includes over 100 live channels, including your local ABC network. You'll also get unlimited DVR space, three simultaneous streams, and up to six individual accounts with personalized recommendations. Currently, the streaming service is only offering a two-day free trial, but fortunately, that's all you really need to tune into the New Year's Eve broadcast live. Then, your first three months will cost $72.99 per month instead of the usual $82.99 per month. Be sure to cancel before your two-day trial is up if you want to avoid that charge.

Watch for free: FuboTV

FuboTV offers seven-day trials to newbies, giving you the ability to watch the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast on your local ABC station for free. You'll get access to over 200 other networks, as well as unlimited cloud DVR, and up to 10 different screens. After your trial, the cost for your first month is $48.99 ($73.99 per month thereafter). Be sure to cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Watch for free: Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is expensive at $89.99 per month, but it does come with a free three-day trial, giving you the ability to watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve for free. You also get a lot for your money, should you choose to keep it after your trial. Beyond the live TV aspect, you'll also get access to the full Hulu library, Disney+ (With Ads), and ESPN Select.

Most affordable long-term: Sling TV (only for select areas)

Sling's a la carte setup and affordable pricing make it a huge competitor in the live TV streaming market. You can pick your package and channels depending on what you actually want to watch. In order to watch the New Year's Rockin' Eve special, you'll need access to ABC, which is included in Sling's Blue base package. Unfortunately, since ABC is a local network, it's only available in some local markets. Check to see if your local market includes ABC before you pull the trigger — Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Los Angeles, and more are included. Typically, Sling's base package costs $50.99 per month, but you can get the Orange + Blue bundle for just $33 for your first month and save.

Watch it the next day on Hulu

If, for whatever reason, you want to tune into the New Year's Rockin' Eve broadcast the day after it airs, you have the ability to do so on Hulu. Hulu still offers new and eligible returning subscribers a free 30-day trial. If you don't qualify for the trial period, you can also score a discount by opting for an annual subscription (save 16%) or a Disney+ bundle (save 45%).