NBC has announced that Season 29 of The Voice, rebranded as The Voice: Battle of Champions, will premiere on February 23, 2026, featuring returning coaches Kelly Clarkson, Adam Levine, and John Legend. The season introduces a new format with competitive twists in every round and all coaches being past winners. CeeLo Green will also return in a key role during the Knockouts.
Coaches and Their Track Records
Kelly Clarkson returns for her fifth season as a full-time coach, having previously mentored four winners: Brynn Cartelli (Season 14), Chevel Shepherd (Season 15), Jake Hoot (Season 17), and Girl Named Tom (Season 21). Adam Levine, an original coach from Season 1, comes back after his Season 27 appearance in 2025, with three wins under his belt: Javier Colon (Season 1), Tessanne Chin (Season 5), and Jordan Smith (Season 9). John Legend, coaching since Season 16, has one win with Maelyn Jarmon in his debut season.
CeeLo Green, a coach in Seasons 1-3 and 5, will serve as a decision-maker in the Knockouts, overseeing sing-offs between returning contestants.
Release Schedule
The season kicks off with a two-hour premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9/8c on NBC, following the series premiere of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins. Additional episodes air on Wednesday, February 25, at 8 pm, and Thursday, February 26, at 8 pm. Starting March 2, it returns to a one-hour format on Mondays at 9 pm.
New Format Details
Each coach starts with 10 contestants. The Blind Auditions feature a 'Triple Turn Competition,' where the coach with the most three-chair turns earns a 'Super Steal' for the Battles, blocking other coaches from stealing. In the Knockouts, coaches bring back two past artists for an 'In-Season All-Star Competition,' with CeeLo Green deciding winners; the top coach advances a second finalist to the finale. Semifinals and finale include real-time voting by an in-studio audience of superfans and previous contestants.
NBC describes the changes as 'infused with fast-paced, competitive elements,' raising stakes for coaches and artists.