If you’re anything like me, you probably spent your Tuesday night staring at an empty spot on the DVR where a spinning red chair used to be. Season 28 literally just wrapped up in December with Aiden Ross taking the crown for Team Niall, and honestly, the withdrawal is real. But if you're asking when is the next The Voice season, I have some good news and some "mark your calendars" news.
NBC has officially confirmed that Season 29 is hitting our screens on Monday, February 23, 2026.
Why the wait? Well, it’s an Olympic year. NBC is wall-to-wall with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo through most of February. Basically, the network is trading the Blind Auditions for the Luge for a few weeks. But once that torch goes out, the big red chairs are coming back with what looks like the most experimental season the show has ever attempted.
The Voice Season 29: A Totally Different Vibe
They’re calling this one "The Voice: Battle of Champions." This isn't just a catchy subtitle; it’s a fundamental shift in how the show is going to work. For the first time in the history of the series, the coaching panel is being shrunk down.
We’re moving from four coaches to three.
It sounds weird, right? But the logic is that they wanted a "best of the best" showdown. Since every single person in a chair this season has actually won the show as a coach before, the rivalry is going to be incredibly petty and wonderful.
Who are the Season 29 coaches?
The lineup is a heavy-hitter list of familiar faces:
- Adam Levine: He’s back. Again. After taking Season 28 off, the original king of the "point and stare" is reclaiming his chair for his 18th season.
- Kelly Clarkson: She’s returning for her 10th season. Apparently, her talk show schedule finally played nice with the filming dates.
- John Legend: After sitting out the fall, the EGOT winner is back to bring some class (and probably some custom jackets) to the proceedings.
Notably missing? Reba McEntire and Snoop Dogg. While Snoop was a massive hit in Season 28, it looks like he’s taking a breather. And honestly, a season without Reba feels a little less "fancy," but having the Kelly/Adam dynamic back usually means we get some top-tier bickering.
When is the next The Voice season starting? (Specific Schedule)
Because they're starting late due to the Olympics, NBC is "super-loading" the first week of programming. If you’re planning to watch, you’re basically going to be living on your couch for three days straight.
- Monday, Feb 23: Two-hour premiere at 9/8c.
- Wednesday, Feb 25: Another two-hour block at 8/7c.
- Thursday, Feb 26: A third two-hour episode at 8/7c.
After that chaotic first week, the show settles into its normal Monday night rhythm. There is also a weird "bonus" episode scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. NBC is clearly trying to make up for lost time.
The "Battle of Champions" Format Changes
This is where things get kinda complicated. They aren't just changing the chairs; they’re changing the rules. Since there are only three coaches, each team is starting smaller. Usually, a coach grabs 12 artists in the Blinds. This year? Only 10.
The biggest shocker is the "In-Season All-Star Competition." During the Knockouts, the coaches aren't just looking at new talent. Each coach gets to bring back two "fan-favorite" artists from their previous winning seasons to compete in a mini-tournament.
Think about that. We could see past finalists or semi-finalists coming back to sing for their old mentors. To keep it fair (or as fair as reality TV gets), CeeLo Green is reportedly coming back as a guest judge just for these specific All-Star segments to decide who stays.
The "Triple Turn" Advantage
In the Blind Auditions, they’re introducing something called the "Triple Turn Competition." The coach who manages to snag the most artists where all three chairs turned gets a "Super Steal" for the Battle rounds.
The Super Steal is basically a nuke. It allows a coach to trump any other coach’s attempt to steal an artist. If Kelly wants someone and uses her Super Steal, John and Adam can’t do a thing about it. It’s going to lead to some absolute meltdowns on stage.
Why the "Winner" Voting is Changing
In another "first," the voting is getting a facelift. During the Semi-finals and the Finale, a new "Voting Block" is being introduced. It’s not just the people at home clicking a button anymore.
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NBC is assembling a panel of "super fans" and former Voice contestants who will be in the studio. Their live vote will carry a specific percentage of the weight alongside the public vote. It’s a bit like how the Eurovision or Dancing with the Stars judges' scores work, but with people who actually know what it’s like to stand on that stage.
What should you do now?
If you're an aspiring singer, the "virtual open calls" for future seasons (beyond 29) are almost always running. You can head over to the official NBC The Voice casting site to see when the next window opens.
For the rest of us who just want to watch, make sure your Peacock subscription is active. While the show airs live on NBC, the "un-aired" clips and rehearsals usually drop on Peacock a day early or right after the West Coast airing.
Set a reminder for February 23. With the Olympics leading right into the premiere, the hype is going to be everywhere. It’ll be interesting to see if the three-coach dynamic feels too empty or if it finally gives the artists more actual screen time during the critiques. Either way, seeing Adam and Kelly go head-to-head again is usually worth the price of admission alone.
Check your local listings as we get closer to the date, as NBC has a habit of shifting those Wednesday/Thursday "special" episodes at the last minute if a sitcom overruns.
Actionable Steps:
- Mark February 23, 2026 as the official Season 29 start date.
- Clear your DVR for that three-night premiere event (Feb 23, 25, and 26).
- Catch up on Season 28 highlights on YouTube or Peacock if you missed Aiden Ross's run to the title.