It feels kinda weird to watch the Wheel without Pat Sajak standing at that iconic podium, doesn't it? For over forty years, he was the guy. The dry wit, the slightly impatient "spin the wheel" prompts, and that effortless chemistry with Vanna White became the literal wallpaper of American living rooms. But then 2024 happened. He retired from the nightly show, Ryan Seacrest stepped in with his high-energy American Idol vibe, and we all thought that was that.
Except, it wasn't.
If you’ve been scrolling through your guide lately and asking is Pat Sajak hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, the answer is actually a bit of a "yes and no" situation depending on exactly when you’re watching. He did return. He took one last victory lap. But as of right now, in early 2026, the torch has officially, finally, and somewhat bittersweetly passed for good.
The "Final Spin" That Kept Us Guessing
Pat actually "retired" twice, if you want to get technical about it. He wrapped up the syndicated, nightly version of the show in June 2024. Most fans assumed he was headed straight for the golf course or his board of trustees seat at Hillsdale College.
However, ABC had a different plan for the primetime spin-off.
Because of some heavy scheduling conflicts in late 2024—think Monday Night Football and the endless cycle of election coverage—the network decided to push back the fifth season of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. This delay created a strange overlap where Ryan Seacrest was already the face of the nightly show, while Pat was still technically the host of the celebrity version "in the can."
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He finally made his grand return for what the network dubbed his Final Spin in the spring of 2025.
Starting April 30, 2025, Pat came back to host a star-studded Season 5. It wasn't just a random batch of episodes either. We saw some heavy hitters like Josh Gad, Tiffany Haddish, and Regina Hall. Honestly, seeing him back with Vanna for that final run felt like a warm blanket. He hadn't lost a step. He was still joking about his "Sajak Senior Secret Agent" pitch and tossing bankrupt wedges over his shoulder when Bernadette Peters got unlucky.
Who Is Hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Now?
The era of the "Two Wheels" is over.
On June 10, 2025, Pat Sajak hosted his absolute final episode. The contestants were Broadway royalty: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, and Bernadette Peters. It was classy. It was funny. And when the credits rolled, he said, "See you next season," which sent the internet into a brief tailspin of confusion. Was he staying? Was it a joke?
It was just Pat being Pat.
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Ryan Seacrest is the current host of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. ABC confirmed the transition back in May 2025, shortly before Pat’s finale aired. Ryan officially took over the celebrity podium for Season 6, which began airing in late 2025 and has continued into the current 2026 season. If you’re watching a brand-new episode tonight with someone like Kathy Hilton or Rick Ross, you’re seeing Ryan in the driver’s seat.
The Vanna Factor
One thing that hasn't changed? Vanna White.
There was a lot of drama behind the scenes about her contract, but she’s locked in through the 2025-2026 season. She’s the bridge between the old guard and the new. Seeing her next to Ryan is still a bit of an adjustment for some long-term fans, but she’s the pro’s pro. She keeps the rhythm going even when the celebrities start shouting "I know it!" without hitting their buzzers (looking at you, Kathy Hilton).
Why the Confusion Still Exists
Google is full of people asking if Pat is still hosting because the syndication and streaming cycles are a mess.
- Hulu and On-Demand: If you go to Hulu right now, you can still stream Pat’s final season. Since it only aired a few months ago, it looks "new" to a lot of people discovering it for the first time.
- The 2024-2025 Overlap: For nearly a year, you could see Ryan at 7:00 PM and Pat at 8:00 PM on the same channel. That’s enough to give anyone whiplash.
- His Consultant Role: Pat didn't just vanish into the ether. He signed a three-year deal to stay on as a consultant. While he isn't in front of the camera, his fingerprints are still on the puzzles and the show's general flow.
Is Ryan Seacrest Winning Over the Fans?
Replacing a legend is a thankless job. Just ask Drew Carey or Ken Jennings.
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Initially, the "Wheel-verse" was pretty split. Some people found Ryan a bit too "produced" or polished compared to Pat’s more cynical, "I’ve seen it all" charm. But honestly? He’s won a lot of people over. He’s a workaholic—the guy is everywhere from American Idol to his radio show to New Year's Rockin' Eve. He knows how to handle big personalities, which is exactly what you need when you have three high-energy celebrities trying to win a million dollars for charity.
The vibe is different. It's faster. It feels a bit more "modern Hollywood." But the game is the same.
What’s Next for Pat?
If you're missing Pat, he isn't exactly sitting at home staring at the wall.
He recently wrapped up a stage production in Hawaii called Prescription: Murder—the play that eventually became the pilot for Columbo. He played the villain, Dr. Roy Flemming, opposite his longtime friend Joe Moore. It’s a total 180 from the guy telling you there are two "N’s" in the puzzle, but he seems to be loving the theater life.
He’s also still very involved with Hillsdale College as the chairman of their board. Basically, he’s living the "active retirement" dream.
Final Verdict
To wrap this up: Pat Sajak is no longer hosting Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. He had a fantastic "final-final" run in early 2025, but the show is now firmly in Ryan Seacrest’s hands. If you see Pat on your screen, you’re likely watching a rerun or a streaming episode from Season 5.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check Your Local Listings: Season 6 of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune with Ryan Seacrest airs on ABC—check your specific time zone as it often shifts around sports.
- Catch Up on Hulu: If you want to see Pat’s actual "Final Spin" with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the Broadway crew, head to Hulu and look for the Season 5 finale (aired June 2025).
- Follow the Consultant: Keep an eye on the credits. Pat’s name is still there as a consultant, so if a puzzle feels particularly "Sajak-y," it probably is.
- Support the Charities: Remember that the "Celebrity" version is always for a cause. If you enjoyed a particular episode, consider looking up the charity the winner played for—like No Kid Hungry or Broadway Barks.
It's the end of an era, but the Wheel keeps spinning. Whether it's Pat or Ryan, the sound of that "click-click-click" is still one of the most comforting things on television.