Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Ryan Seacrest will turn this year’s countdown “Upside Down” with the legendary Diana Ross serving as its Times Square headliner.
Ross’ performance will deliver “a spectacular blend of glamour and a timeless medley of hits, including ‘I’m Coming Out’ and ‘Upside Down,’ which has seen a 373% surge in streams since being featured in Season 5 of Stranger Things,” ABC notes.
“Together we begin a new year,” Ross said in a statement. “Let’s embrace a new beginning, new opportunities, new joy — a celebration of love, where we all come together as we begin 2026.”
Ross with The Supremes racked up 12 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s — the most of any American group or female group in history — and as a solo act she has claimed a half-dozen No. 1s.
Ross caps a rrrrrobust line-up of more than 30 performers for the annual’s longest-ever, 8 p.m.-to-4 a.m. EST telecast, which also includes, alphabetically: 4 Non Blondes, 50 Cent, AJR, BigXthaPlug, Chance the Rapper, Charlie Puth, Chappell Roan, Ciara, Demi Lovato, DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic Live! Starring Busta Rhymes, T.I. & Wyclef Jean, Filmore, Goo Goo Dolls, Jess Glynne, Jessie Murph, Jordan Davis, KPop Demon Hunters‘ HUNTR/X (aka EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI), Leon Thomas, LE SSERAFIM, Lil Jon, Little Big Town, Madison Beer, Maren Morris, Mariah Carey, New Kids on the Block, OneRepublic, Pitbull (of course), Post Malone, Rick Springfield, Russell Dickerson, The All-American Rejects, Tucker Wetmore, and Zara Larsson.
The XXL special’s eponymous Seacrest will of course once again run the show, with recording artist Rita Ora joining him for the Times Square festivities.
Grammy-winning Chicago native Chance the Rapper will host the Windy City side of the celebration and lead a first-ever live Central Time Zone countdown, while Dancing With the Stars‘ Julianne Hough will make her New Year’s Rockin’ Eve debut by joining NFL vet Rob Gronkowski in hosting the Las Vegas portion of the spectacle.
Details on the Puerto Rico-based segment of the celebration have yet to be announced.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 kicks off Wednesday, December 31, starting at 8 p.m. ET, and will stream next day on Hulu.
