The Soul Train Awards are officially coming back!
After taking a three-year break, the iconic celebration of R&B, soul and Black music is returning to television this fall with a new home on both BET and CBS.
BET announced that the 2026 Soul Train Awards will air Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET, marking the first time the awards show will be simulcast on CBS. The move is expected to give the longtime music franchise an even broader television audience.
The return comes after the Soul Train Awards were put on pause following the 2023 ceremony. In 2025, BET announced that the Soul Train Awards and BET Hip Hop Awards would be suspended as the network evaluated how to reimagine its signature award shows for an evolving media landscape.
Now, the Soul Train Awards are back — and BET says the ceremony will feature a reimagined format designed to celebrate the artists who helped shape R&B and soul while also highlighting the next generation of music stars.
The 2026 ceremony will be presented by Spotify and Toyota and will originate from Chicago, the city where the original Soul Train television program began its historic run. BET executive Louis Carr said he was proud to bring the awards back to Chicago, describing the return as an opportunity to bring the community together around the culture and connect legendary artists with those carrying the music forward.
The Soul Train Awards have long served as one of the most important celebrations of Black music and entertainment. The franchise has honored some of the biggest names in R&B, soul, hip-hop and gospel throughout its history.
The last ceremony, held in 2023 and hosted by Keke Palmer, featured major wins for artists including SZA, Usher, Coco Jones and Janelle Monáe. SZA took home Album of the Year for SOS, while Usher won Best R&B/Soul Male Artist. Coco Jones was named Best New Artist, and Janelle Monáe received the Spirit of Soul Award.
With the awards now returning after a three-year pause, fans can once again look forward to the performances, tributes, memorable moments and celebrations that have made the Soul Train brand a lasting part of Black music culture.
The 2026 Soul Train Awards will air November 27 at 8 p.m. ET on BET and CBS.
