The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2026 inductees on April 13, 2026, during an episode of American Idol, with Ryan Seacrest and Lionel Richie revealing the names.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in December on ABC and Disney+.

A major highlight is the posthumous recognition of legendary television host Ed Sullivan, who will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award for non-performers. His long-running program, The Ed Sullivan Show, aired from 1948 to 1971 and featured more than 10,000 performances, including iconic appearances by The Beatles and Elvis Presley, helping shape American popular culture and promoting diverse talent across genres.

Among performer inductees, heavy metal band Iron Maiden earns long-awaited recognition following earlier nominations, coinciding with the group’s 50th-anniversary celebrations and global tour.

Punk and new wave icon Billy Idol also joins the class after his second nomination, alongside guitarist Steve Stevens. Additional performer inductees include Phil Collins, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu‑Tang Clan, reflecting a diverse mix of rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences.

Early influence honorees include Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons, while the musical excellence award recognizes industry figures including Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin.

Several honorees are being recognized posthumously, honoring the lasting influence of their contributions. Despite winning the fan vote, New Edition did not make the final list, while other nominees including Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, and P!NK were also left out, rounding out a widely discussed 2026 class.