As the final hours of 2025 approach, anticipation is building across the United States and around the world for one of the most recognizable celebrations of all time: the Times Square New Year’s Eve countdown. Once again, millions of eyes will turn toward the glowing crossroads of New York City as Ryan Seacrest takes his place at the center of the festivities, hosting ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026.” For many viewers, this annual broadcast is more than just a television special. It is a ritual, a shared experience that marks the closing of one chapter and the hopeful opening of another.
New Year’s Eve in Times Square has always carried a unique kind of magic. It blends history, spectacle, music, and emotion into a single night that feels both deeply personal and universally shared. Whether people are bundled up in the cold streets of Manhattan or watching from their living rooms thousands of miles away, the countdown creates a rare moment of unity. Everyone, regardless of where they are, is waiting for the same final seconds of the year to tick away.
At the heart of this tradition stands the Times Square Ball, a symbol that has come to represent renewal itself. In the days leading up to Dec. 31, organizers carefully tested the newly updated Constellation Ball, ensuring it was ready for its most important moment. Described as the centerpiece of the celebration and a universal symbol of the New Year, the ball is not just a decorative object. It is a piece of living history that has evolved alongside the country for more than a century.
The 2026 Constellation Ball is the largest and most advanced version yet. Measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing an impressive 12,350 pounds, it commands attention even when standing still. Covered in 5,280 Waterford crystals and illuminated by cutting-edge LED light pucks, the ball features nearly double the number of crystals used in previous versions. Each crystal is designed to catch and refract light, creating a shimmering effect that transforms the final minute of the year into a dazzling visual spectacle.
What makes this year’s ball especially significant is not just its size or brilliance, but the technology embedded within it. Organizers have introduced modernized lighting, motion, and control systems, along with a new signature sound and interactive capabilities. These upgrades are intended to enhance the experience for both the crowd in Times Square and the millions watching from home. The goal is to make the moment feel immersive, emotional, and unforgettable, even through a television screen.
Preparation for New Year’s Eve in Times Square extends far beyond the ball itself. Days before the big night, the area comes alive with rehearsals, sound checks, and visual tests. On Dec. 29, multicolored confetti cascaded from the Planet Fitness Center Stage during a trial run, previewing the 3,000 pounds of confetti set to rain down at midnight. The confetti is more than a festive flourish. Many of the pieces carry handwritten wishes submitted by people across the country, turning the celebration into a literal shower of hopes, dreams, and intentions for the year ahead.
As the clock counts down, those pieces of paper flutter through the air, landing on streets and shoulders, symbolizing a collective release of the past and an embrace of possibility. It is a small detail, but one that captures the emotional core of the night. New Year’s Eve is not just about spectacle. It is about reflection, closure, and optimism.
Guiding viewers through all of this once again is Ryan Seacrest, whose role as host has become an integral part of the tradition. By now, Seacrest’s presence on New Year’s Eve feels almost timeless. He has seamlessly carried forward the legacy of Dick Clark, who originally brought the celebration into American homes and transformed it into a televised event that generations have grown up watching.
Seacrest’s hosting style blends enthusiasm with familiarity. He knows when to bring the energy and when to let the moment breathe. Over the years, he has become a trusted companion for viewers as they transition from one year to the next. His return for the 2026 broadcast reinforces the sense of continuity that makes New Year’s Rockin’ Eve feel comforting, even as each year brings its own changes.
This year’s broadcast promises to be bigger and longer than ever. Airing live on ABC beginning at 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Dec. 31, the show will feature an additional hour and a half of programming, making it the longest New Year’s Rockin’ Eve telecast in history. The extended runtime allows for more performances, more locations, and more moments of connection throughout the night. For those who cannot watch live, the show will also be available to stream on Hulu the following day, ensuring that no one has to miss out on the celebration.
Joining Seacrest in Times Square is Rita Ora, who will serve as co-host and bring her own vibrant energy to the broadcast. Her presence adds a global pop sensibility to the show, reflecting how New Year’s Eve is celebrated around the world. Together, Seacrest and Ora will guide viewers through the night’s highlights, from musical performances to celebrity appearances and, of course, the iconic countdown.
One of the most anticipated moments of the night will come from Diana Ross, who is set to deliver a dazzling live performance as the 2026 headliner. Her involvement adds a sense of legacy and star power to the celebration. With a career that spans decades and generations, Ross embodies the timeless appeal of music as a unifying force. Her performance is expected to be a defining highlight of the night, bringing glamour, emotion, and nostalgia to the Times Square stage.
In a notable expansion of the tradition, this year’s broadcast will also mark the first time ABC counts down to the New Year in the Midwest. Chance the Rapper will join the show as a co-host, leading the live Central Time Zone countdown from Chicago. This addition reflects a broader vision for the event, recognizing that the New Year unfolds at different moments across the country. By including Chicago in the celebration, the broadcast acknowledges the diverse ways Americans experience the holiday while still bringing everyone together under a single shared umbrella.
The nationwide scope of the celebration does not stop there. ABC’s coverage will also travel to Las Vegas, where Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough will ring in the New Year amid the city’s signature lights and energy. Meanwhile, Roselyn Sánchez will host festivities in Puerto Rico, offering viewers a taste of New Year’s Eve infused with Caribbean warmth and culture. These different locations highlight the many faces of celebration, showing that while the countdown may be universal, the way people welcome the New Year is richly varied.
For those attending the Times Square celebration in person, the evening follows a carefully orchestrated timeline. Festivities officially begin at 6 p.m. ET on Dec. 31, when the New Year’s Eve Ball is raised to the top of the flagpole at One Times Square. From that moment on, the area fills with music, performances, and an ever-growing sense of anticipation. Crowds gather, bundled against the winter cold, knowing they are part of a moment that will be watched by millions.
As midnight approaches, the energy intensifies. At exactly 11:59 p.m. ET, the ball begins its iconic 60-second descent. Each second feels heavier than the last as the numbers are counted down aloud. When the ball reaches the bottom and the clock strikes twelve, the new year officially begins. Cheers erupt, confetti fills the air, and strangers hug as if they have known each other for years. It is a brief but powerful moment of shared humanity.
This year’s ball drop carries additional meaning beyond the usual excitement. The 2026 celebration is expected to include a special nod to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. America250 announced a surprise post-midnight moment that will take place shortly after the new year begins. At approximately 12:04 a.m. ET, the ball will be relit with an America250 design and rise once again above illuminated “2026” numerals.
This unexpected second moment is designed to encourage reflection not just on the year ahead, but on the country’s long and complex history. By incorporating this tribute into one of the nation’s most visible celebrations, organizers are using the power of tradition to spark conversation and connection. It is a reminder that New Year’s Eve is not only about personal resolutions and celebrations, but also about shared identity and collective milestones.
For many viewers, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” has become a comforting constant in a world that often feels unpredictable. Year after year, the broadcast offers a sense of stability, even as everything else changes. Families watch together, friends tune in during parties, and individuals spending the night alone find solace in knowing they are part of something larger.
As Ryan Seacrest prepares to once again count down the final seconds of the year, the significance of the moment goes beyond the numbers on the clock. It represents resilience, hope, and the enduring power of tradition. No matter what challenges or triumphs the past year has brought, New Year’s Eve offers a chance to pause, reflect, and begin again.
When the lights glow, the music swells, and the ball makes its descent, millions will be reminded that time moves forward for everyone. And for one unforgettable night, all eyes will be on Times Square, welcoming 2026 together.