Anthony Anderson to Host 2026 Soul Train Awards: ‘I’m Thrilled to Be Back’

Anthony Anderson is set to host the 2026 Soul Train Awards, which will air on BET and CBS on Friday, November 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This marks the first Soul Train Awards since 2023 and the first to air on CBS. The two-hour show will be taped on Thursday, November 5 at the Harris Theater in Chicago.

The Soul Train Awards are returning after a two-year hiatus. In a statement, Anderson expressed his excitement about hosting the event, saying "I’m thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host Soul Train Awards in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began. Soul Train is more than a television show or an awards franchise; it’s a piece of our cultural history."

Anderson, best known for his role on ABC’s Black-ish, previously hosted the Soul Train Awards in 2013. He has an extensive resume as an awards show host, having previously hosted the NAACP Image Awards for nine consecutive years, the 75th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, and co-hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016.

Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET, said that Anderson brings a unique combination of comedic instinct, musical knowledge and genuine love for the culture. Louis Carr, president of BET, added that Anderson understands the legacy, music and importance of creating a moment that brings people together. As they return the Soul Train Awards to its birthplace in Chicago, they are excited to have Anderson at the center of this celebration.