The Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian will lead BET’s celebration of Black music and culture as the awards show returns after a three-year hiatus.
Anthony Anderson will host the 2026 Soul Train Awards, returning to BET after a three-year hiatus. BET announced the news on October 1, confirming that the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated actor and comedian will lead the ceremony in Chicago, the birthplace of the Soul Train franchise.
“I’m thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host Soul Train Awards in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began,” Anderson said.
He described Soul Train as “a piece of our cultural history” and credited its late creator, Don Cornelius, with building a platform that showcased Black musical talent and influenced generations of artists and entertainers. Anderson said he looks forward to honoring legendary performers and celebrating contemporary R&B and soul artists.
Anderson previously co-hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016 with his black-ish co-star Tracee Ellis Ross. He also hosted the NAACP Image Awards for eight consecutive years and the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.
BET executives praised his comedic instincts, musical knowledge, connection to the network, and appreciation for Black culture and the Soul Train legacy.
Created by Cornelius in 1971, Soul Train became a groundbreaking platform for Black music, fashion, and dance. The Soul Train Awards debuted in 1987 and recognized influential artists and rising stars through its most recent ceremony in 2023, hosted by Keke Palmer.
The 2026 return will mark the awards show’s first broadcast on CBS, alongside BET. The ceremony is scheduled for Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Performers, honorees, and additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.
