Two months after crowning its season 28 winner in December 2025 — 20-year-old college student Aiden Ross — NBC’s “The Voice” will launch its 29th season in late February 2026.
But the new season, billed as its first-ever “Battle of Champions,” will be very different than what fans are used to. Here are five major ways “The Voice” is changing in 2026.
1. ‘The Voice’ Season 29 Will Have Only 3 Coaches & a New Triple Turn Competition
GettyFor the first time in the show’s history, season 29 of “The Voice” will have three coaches instead of the usual four. Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, who was one of the original coaches when the show began in 2011, will be joined by two other fan favorites, Kelly Clarkson, and John Legend.
In November, NBC announced those three were selected because they all have previous wins on “The Voice” — thus the “Battle of Champions” theme — forming “the only panel in the show’s history comprised entirely of ‘Voice’ winners.”
This obviously means there will be no four-chair turns, so “The Voice” is introducing a Triple Turn Competition, per NBC. After the Blinds are over, the coach with the most team members who earned three-chair turns will automatically earn a Super Steal for the Battles, which “lets the coach trump another coach’s attempt to steal an Artist, securing their win.”
2. ‘The Voice’ Will Introduce an ‘In-Season All-Star Competition’ With CeeLo Green
NBCDuring season 29, another layer of competition will be added during the Knockouts called the “In-Season All-Star Competition,” per NBC. Each of the three coaches will get to bring back two artists from their past teams on “The Voice” to compete in head-to-head sing-offs against the current contestants.
CeeLo Green, another original coach from the early days of “The Voice,” will choose the winners of those sing-offs, and the coach with the most sing-off wins is “guaranteed a second season 29 artist in the finale.”
3. ‘The Voice’ Adds Voting Changes in 2026
NBCThe third biggest change to “The Voice” in 2026 is that viewers won’t be the only ones voting on which season 29 artists move from the semi-finals to the finale, nor who wins. According to NBC, the show will add a “new voting block” made up of “The Voice” super fans and past contestants.
The group will be part of the in-studio audience during those live rounds, voting in real time for their favorite artists. It’s not clear how much weight their votes will have compared to the votes cast by viewers at home.
Speaking of changes, “The Voice” season 29 will kick off with Blind Audition episodes airing three nights in the same week. Mark your calendars now for each two-hour episode: February 23 at 9 p.m. Eastern time, and February 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Where is Blake? He has the most wins. John Legend and Celo Green? Are you kidding me?
I think Blake retired from the Voice permanently.
the public can’t vote till the semifinals?? That’s one thing they need to change!!
Bringing Clarkson and Legend back is a big mistake. Loved having Snoop and Buble on. You’re going to lose viewers….and CeLo Green, cmon!!!
I think Clarkson and Legend is great choices!
Can’t deal with John and Celo.
I don’t think that I’ll be watching. The only coach worth watching is Kelly. Like the saying goes… “If it not broke don’t fix it.” I don’t think people are going to like the changes.
Why do you have to mess with things. You have made it to complicated. You will probably lose some watchers. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Wow, unless the judges from last year are done with you and not coming back, what are you thinking??? To let go of the Queen of Country? And the others? What a great chemistry they had. You should have included in this announcement why last year’s are not coming back.
I really enjoyed the 4 judges in 2025, they really know how to make the show enjoyable, good luck with keeping your viewers!!!
Well im not a fan of these changes stupid
The 4 judges on season 28 is by far the best ever since Blake left. These changes do not seem fair and I believe you are going to lose viewers. I will give it a chance but not sure I will continue to watch and that is a shame. It it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Too complicated! Why change things when you had great coaches and you could understand what they were looking for, and they made it entertaining interacting with each other.
I really was hoping Blake Shelton was coming back after all he was one of the Originals and had the most wins , along with these other 3 you have !!!
I agree with all these other fans, last season you had the best 4 coaches. However, I understand they all probably have other engagements already. Hopefully you can get them back in the near future. They were all 4 good for each other and they cared about their contestants. So please reach out to them, after all….. Isn’t it about keeping the viewers, the fans happy??
All you negative people need to give the new program a chance! Who knows you might like it better!!!!!