Chance the Rapper to Co-Host New Year's Rockin' Eve from Chicago

ABC announced on Monday that Grammy-winning artist Chance the Rapper will cohost a segment of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026 from his hometown of Chicago, marking the first time the show's Central Time Zone countdown will originate live from the city. The annual special, a staple of New Year's Eve television for 53 years, airs live on December 31, 2025, beginning at 8 p.m. ET, with celebrations spanning multiple U.S. locations including New York City's Times Square, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico.

Ryan Seacrest returns for his 21st year as the main host, leading the broadcast from Times Square alongside Rita Ora, who joins him for her third consecutive year. In Las Vegas, retired NFL player Rob Gronkowski will team up with performer Julianne Hough, who makes her debut as a cohost on the program. Chance the Rapper, a Chicago native, will guide the Central Time Zone festivities from Wacker Drive, bringing local energy to the national audience. He is also scheduled to perform just before midnight. Details for the Puerto Rico segment, including its host, will be revealed in the coming weeks, while the full lineup of performers remains under wraps for now.