NBC’s long-running singing competition The Voice is entering its 29th season with significant changes designed to inject fresh energy and correct perceived shortcomings from recent cycles. Dubbed The Voice: Battle of Champions, Season 29 premieres on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9/8c with a two-hour episode, and all subsequent episodes will air in the expanded 9-11 p.m. ET timeslot on Mondays. This shift provides more room for performances, coaching moments, and competitive drama while positioning the show to capture a larger share of Monday night viewers—particularly during the hour when it no longer directly competes head-to-head with ABC’s American Idol (which runs 8-10 p.m.).
The decision to double the runtime for the entire spring run comes after feedback on Season 28 highlighted pacing issues, rushed blind auditions, and limited time for artist development. By extending episodes to two hours, NBC aims to deliver deeper storytelling, more chair-turn moments, extended battles, and room for the kind of emotional journeys that made the show a staple. Fans may need to stay up later or adjust viewing habits, but the network insists the extra time will make every installment feel more immersive and rewarding. Episodes will also stream the next day on Peacock, offering flexibility for those who can’t catch the live broadcast.
At the heart of Season 29 is a landmark format overhaul infused with “fast-paced, competitive elements” inspired by NBC Sports’ high-energy events like the Super Bowl, Olympics, and NBA All-Star Game. The season drops to three powerhouse coaches—all former winners—for the first time: Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine. This reunion marks Levine’s return after a lengthy absence, creating a dynamic panel of Emmy-winning talent with deep Voice history. Carson Daly returns as host, guiding the action from Universal Studios.
The revamped structure, titled Battle of Champions, emphasizes rivalry among the coaches and raises stakes for artists. Key innovations include:
- Triple Turn Competition during Blind Auditions: Coaches vie for the most three-chair turns. The winner earns a coveted “Super Steal” advantage usable once in the Battle Rounds. This automatic steal overrides any other coach’s attempt, guaranteeing they keep a desired artist and adding strategic tension from the start.
- Expanded Teams and Rounds: Each coach builds a team of 10 artists. The competition unfolds over four distinct rounds, each introducing a Voice first to heighten drama and unpredictability.
- In-Season All-Star Competition in Knockouts: Coaches bring back two fan-favorite artists from their past teams to compete in head-to-head sing-offs. These all-stars represent their former coaches, battling for a spot that could secure an extra finalist for the winning coach in the finale. For this special segment, original coach CeeLo Green joins as a guest judge to decide showdown winners, injecting nostalgia and surprise.
- Super Fan and Alumni Voting Block: In the Semi-finals and Finale, a panel of super fans and past Voice artists influences outcomes through real-time voting, blending audience power with expert insight.
These tweaks aim to make every episode feel like a championship event, with coaches competing as fiercely as their artists. The “Battle of Champions” moniker reflects the all-winner panel and the intensified coach-versus-coach dynamic, promising more trash talk, strategic plays, and emotional investment.
The premiere week packs a punch: a two-hour kickoff on February 23, followed by additional two-hour episodes on Wednesday, February 25 (8/7c), and Thursday, February 26 (8/7c). From March 2 onward, the show settles into its regular Monday 9-11 p.m. slot, with occasional extra airings to accommodate the extended format.
The changes address common criticisms of recent seasons, where one-hour episodes sometimes felt cramped, limiting blind audition depth or battle round development. The two-hour block allows for longer performance clips, more backstage coaching, artist backstories, and audience reactions—elements that build investment and emotional payoff. NBC’s scheduling move also clears space by shifting Brilliant Minds (the 10 p.m. Monday drama) to later in the spring or summer, prioritizing The Voice during its prime spring window.
Fan response has been largely positive, with excitement building around the coach reunion and innovative twists. Clarkson’s return brings her signature enthusiasm and vocal expertise, Legend offers soulful mentorship and musical insight, and Levine’s comeback adds rock edge and playful banter. The panel’s chemistry—proven in past seasons—promises lively debates and heartfelt guidance.
As The Voice enters this new era, the expanded airtime and competitive upgrades signal NBC’s commitment to evolving the franchise. While viewers might need to carve out extra time on Monday nights, the promise of more music, higher stakes, and a “landmark” season could make it worthwhile. With blinds, battles, knockouts, and lives all supercharged, Season 29 positions itself as a fresh chapter that honors the show’s legacy while pushing boundaries. Tune in starting February 23—the battle for the championship is about to begin.