Ed Sheeran is back. Tonight, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the ginger-haired titan of pop takes the stage as the jimmy kimmel musical guest tonight. If you've been following the late-night circuit lately, you know the vibe has shifted. Shows are doing fewer musical acts, making every performance feel like a proper event rather than just a five-minute filler before the credits roll.
Sheeran is here to perform tracks from his latest album, Play. Honestly, it’s a bit of a full-circle moment for him and Kimmel.
What to Expect from Ed Sheeran Tonight
Look, we all know the drill with Ed. Usually, it's just him, a guitar, and a loop station that he works like a mad scientist. But Play has been a slightly different beast. It's more experimental than his earlier "mathematical" era. There’s a rumor he might bring out a few extra musicians tonight, which is rare for his late-night appearances but fits the bigger, more orchestral sound of his new material.
The show kicks off at 11:35 PM ET on ABC.
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Before Ed hits the stage, the guest couch is looking pretty wild. Johnny Knoxville is the lead guest. He's there to talk about the Fear Factor: House of Fear reboot, which, if the trailers are any indication, is going to be absolutely unhinged. You also have Chase Infiniti, who’s currently riding a massive wave of awards season buzz for One Battle After Another. It’s a dense lineup.
Why the Musical Guest Slot Matters More in 2026
You might have noticed that musical guests aren't a nightly thing on Kimmel anymore. The industry word is that the show scaled back to roughly two musical acts per week starting this year. This makes the jimmy kimmel musical guest tonight a coveted slot.
By cutting down on the frequency, the show is aiming for higher "prestige" bookings. They aren't just booking whoever has a mid-tier single trending on TikTok. They’re going for the heavy hitters. Ed Sheeran certainly fits that bill. He’s one of the few artists who can still pull a linear TV audience in an era where everyone usually just watches the clips on YouTube the next morning.
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The Evolution of Late-Night Music
Late-night TV is in a weird spot. Budget cuts and shifting viewer habits have forced these shows to evolve or die. Kimmel has leaned hard into the "mini-concert" feel. Instead of the cramped indoor stage, big acts often take over the outdoor stage behind the El Capitan Entertainment Centre.
While it's January, and Hollywood "winter" is a thing, the outdoor stage is where Sheeran thrives. There's something about that Los Angeles night air and a crowd of fans that makes his acoustic-loop style pop.
- Artist: Ed Sheeran
- Album: Play
- Other Guests: Johnny Knoxville, Chase Infiniti
- Network: ABC
How to Watch and What Not to Miss
If you can't stay up until midnight, you’ve got options. The performance usually hits the official Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel by 3:00 AM ET. But if you’re a die-hard fan, watching it live is the way to go because Kimmel and Ed usually have a bit of banter before the music starts.
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There is also the "Hulu on Disney+" factor. Since the merger of the apps, the streaming turnaround for late-night has gotten way faster. You can usually find the full episode there by early tomorrow morning.
Basically, if you’re looking for the jimmy kimmel musical guest tonight, it’s Ed Sheeran. He’s likely performing "End of the World" or "Daydream," the two big singles currently dominating the charts. It's going to be a solid set.
To get the most out of tonight's show, make sure your DVR is set for a few extra minutes. Late-night shows have a habit of running over when the interviews with guys like Johnny Knoxville get too chaotic. You don't want the recording to cut off right as Ed is hitting the high note of his encore. Check the ABC app or your local listings to confirm the exact start time in your zone, as some local news broadcasts can cause a slight delay.