Chicago will take center stage this New Year’s Eve as Chance the Rapper steps into a major national spotlight. ABC has officially announced that the GRAMMY winning artist will serve as the Chicago co host of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2026.” The broadcast airs live on Tuesday, December 31 at 8/7c on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
A Historic Moment for Chicago
For the first time, a major segment of the iconic show will be hosted live from Chicago by a Chicago native. Chance will lead the Central Time Zone countdown from his hometown while representing the city’s spirit, culture, and pride on one of the most watched nights in television.
His co hosts for the national broadcast include Ryan Seacrest, Rita Ora, Rob Gronkowski, and Julianne Hough. Along with his hosting role, Chance will deliver a special live performance from Wacker Drive just before the clock strikes midnight.
A Breakout Year Leading Into a Big Moment
The announcement arrives as Chance closes out a standout year. He completed his “And We Back” North American tour and released his highly praised album Star Line. The project debuted at number 2 on Spotify’s Top Albums Debut USA chart and number 3 globally.
Critics and fans have called Star Line one of his most visionary projects to date. Spanning 17 tracks, the album blends sharp lyricism with cultural depth and bold musical experimentation. It features collaborators such as Joey Bada$$, Lil Wayne, Smino, Vic Mensa, BJ the Chicago Kid, Young Thug, Jamila Woods, Do or Die, and Jazmine Sullivan. Production contributions come from Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Peter CottonTale, and Nico Segal.
Inspired by his travels across Ghana, Jamaica, and global art fairs, the album draws on Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line to build a narrative centered on resilience, community, and diasporic identity. The visual world of this era, created by artist Brandon Breaux, continues Chance’s tradition of powerful and recognizable artwork.
A National Celebration
The 2026 broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” will span multiple cities including New York, Las Vegas, and Puerto Rico, with Chicago serving as a major focal point.
Viewers can tune in live on ABC beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST and 7:00 p.m. CST on December 31 to watch Chance the Rapper bring Chicago’s voice to the national stage.
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