The 2026 Primetime Emmys will have law and order to them when Mariska Hargitay takes the stage as host. The actress will help ring in NBC‘s 100th anniversary.
The awards show celebrates the best in television arts and sciences. The awards are divided into several different categories, including Primetime, Creative Arts, Daytime, Sports, and News & Documentary Emmy Awards, which honor creative and technical elements. The most popular are the Primetime Emmys.
“Bringing important stories into the light has been the heartbeat of my career. It’s my great honor to host the 78th Emmy Awards — in the 100th birthday year of my beloved NBC — and celebrate this extraordinary community of storytellers,” Hargitay said in a press release. “Whether it’s an actor or a director, a costumer or a sound designer, we are all so privileged to take part in creating television that unites us. Regardless of how, where, or when we watch, we are together in our laughter, our tears, our love of stories — and our delighted anticipation to see what happens next.”
Here is everything we know about the 2026 Emmys so far.
When are the 2026 Emmy Awards?
The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. They will air live coast-to-coast on NBC and be streamed live on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
When are the 2026 Creative Arts Emmys?
The Creative Arts Emmy Awards will take place on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6. The Creative Arts Emmys recognize technical and other similar achievements in American television programming, including Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Game Show, Outstanding Variety Program, etc.
Who will host the awards?
Hargitay, who stars as Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, will host the 2026 show. “Mariska has earned her place among television’s icons,” Jen Neal, Executive Vice President, Live Events & Specials, NBC & Peacock, said in a press release. “Few performers have left the kind of mark on television that Mariska has. For 27 seasons, she has brought strength, compassion and humanity to one of the most beloved characters on TV. As NBC celebrates 100 years of unforgettable storytelling, we can’t think of anyone more fitting to help celebrate the incredible legacy of television.”
Who is presenting at the 2026 Emmys?
It is too soon to know who will present at the awards. Check back here for updates.
When will the nominations be announced?
Nominations for the 78th Emmy Awards will be announced by the Television Academy on Wednesday, July 8, with a live stream at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT on Emmys.com.
Why are the Emmys on a Monday night?
Since the award show airs on NBC/Peacock, it airs on Monday in order to avoid broadcasting at the same time as Sunday Night Football, according to Variety. This has happened in 2014, 2018, and 2022.
However, according to the outlet, the network’s “wheel deal” is set to expire, so it might not air on NBC after this. CBS sometimes takes the reins when NBC doesn’t host, so the Emmys might shift permanently to CBS if NBC doesn’t renew its deal.
2026 Primetime Emmys, Monday, September 14, 8/7c, NBC and streaming live on Peacock