Australian Idol is returning to our screens in 2026 with a bunch of new singers hoping to be the country’s next big star.
This year’s contestants will compete for a $100,000 prize, as well as a career-defining recording package.
Read on to find out everything we know about Australian Idol 2026 so far.
When does Australia Idol 2026 air?
The new season premieres on Monday, February 2 — the same night as Married at First Sight (MAFS) 2026 — on Channel Seven and 7plus.
Who are the Australian Idol 2026 judges and hosts?
Marcia Hines, Amy Shark and Kyle Sandilands are all returning as the judges for Australian Idol 2026.
Last year, Kyle took a break from judging after being diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, and host Ricki-Lee Coulter stepped in as a guest judge. However, at this point, Kyle is set to join the whole season on the panel.
Ricki-Lee will be returning alongside Scott Tweedie as host of the series.
Who are the Australian Idol 2026 contestants?
A few of the 2026 hopefuls have already been revealed, and among them are 23-year-old landscaper Kalani and 31-year-old singer-songwriter Charlie.
Kalani is a tradie from the Central Coast, and a trailer shows judge Amy raving over his audition. “You are exactly what we hope to see walk through these doors,” she says.
Charlie applied for the show to pay tribute to his late mum, who tragically died from brain cancer.
“I think of my mum when I sing this song,” Charlie says of his audition to Billie Eilish’s Birds of a Feather. “Unfortunately, my mum passed away; I was her full-time carer.”
“I wouldn’t trade the sacrifice I made for anything because I got to spend more time with my mum. No one loves you like your mum does,” he added.
Is there a trailer?
There is! Check it out below.
Australian Idol 2026 premieres on February 2 on Channel 7 and 7Plus.
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