Palisadian Conan O’Brien to Return to Host 98th Oscars in 2026

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Riviera resident Conan O’Brien will return to host the 98th iteration of the Oscars in 2026, the Academy announced on March 17.

“For a second consecutive year, Emmy Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien will return to host the Oscars broadcast, and Emmy Award-winning live television event producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan return as the show’s executive producers for the third consecutive year, Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced,” read a statement. “Jeff Ross and Mike Sweeney will return as producers for a second time, and Sweeney will also serve as a writer.”

O’Brien hosted the 97th Oscars on March 2, which brought in a five-year high in total viewers, which was close to 20 million. The show was ranked the “number one primetime entertainment telecast in both total viewers and adults for the 2024-25 season.”

“The only reason I’m hosting the Oscars next year is that I want to hear Adrien Brody finish his speech,” O’Brien said in a statement.

O’Brien is known for hosting “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” Prior to launching his hosting career, O’Brien served as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.”

His latest work includes the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast and “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” which is a travel show on MAX that has been renewed for a second season.

“We are thrilled to bring back Conan, Raj, Katy, Jeff and Mike for the 98th Oscars,” Kramer and Yang said in a joint statement. “This year, they produced a hugely entertaining and visually stunning show that celebrated our nominees and the global film community in the most beautiful and impactful way. Conan was the perfect host—skillfully guiding us through the evening with humor, warmth and reverence. It is an honor to be working with them again.”

The 98th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. at Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. They will be televised live on ABC as well as in more than 200 territories across the globe.