The American Idol 2025 finale is scheduled to air live on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The event starts at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5 p.m. Pacific Time) and will be a three-hour live broadcast on ABC. The winner announcement is expected around 11 p.m. ET. The entire episode will also be available for streaming on Hulu the next day. This finale will feature performances from the top three contestants, along with special guests and a performance by the judges Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, and Lionel Richie.