BET and CBS Announces ‘Soul Train Awards 2026’ will be Hosted by Actor Anthony Anderson and Taped at Chicago’s Harris Theater Nov. 5th

Chicago Update – October 3, 2026 – BET announced on Thursday October 1st that the multi-Emmy Nominated Actor Anthony Anderson will host the Soul Train Awards this year. “I’m thrilled to be back with BET,” says Anderson, “and I’m especially excited to host the Soul Train Awards in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began.” The ceremony will be taped on November 5th at the Harris Theater in Chicago and broadcast on Friday, November 27 at 8 PM ET/PT on BET and simulcast on CBS.

The Soul Train Awards 2026 event will pay homage to Don Cornelius, the iconic producer and originator of the Soul Train television program that was launched more than 50 years ago. The televised event will celebrate the artists, music and enduring legacy of Soul Train through a dynamic night of performances and special moments.

This years telecast marks a new chapter for the franchise that has shaped Black music and culture for generations since Soul Train first went on the air in 1971. “The Soul Train Awards has always been the home for R&B and soul, and this year we’re re-imagining the celebration with a bold new format,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming and music strategy for BET. “It’s about honoring the artists who shaped the genre while reinventing the night for where the music is headed.”

Emmy Award winner Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment is elated to return to produce the show. He says its been three years since the Soul Train Awards was produced in Chicago. “We are honored to work alongside BET, Spotify and Toyota toward an exciting lineup of unforgettable performances and special moments.” In addition to being the executive producer of all JCE programming, Collins is also an executive producer for the annual Grammy Awards.

Since the grand opening of The Obama Presidential Center in June of this year, Chicago has attracted thousands of tourists from around the world. Joe Hadley, global head of music content and partnerships at Spotify says the company is thrilled the Soul Train Awards are coming back to Chicago to celebrate the Soul Train history and its birthplace.

The Obama Presidential Center, dedicated on June 18, 2026 and opened to the public on June 19, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.

“It’s a significant moment for R&B and soul, and for Spotify, it’s important to show up where culture is,” states Hadley. ” Bringing Spotify and BET together allows us to extend the impact beyond the awards themselves, creating more opportunities for artists and their music to reach fans around the world.”

Louis Carr, president of BET says “as a Chicago native, I’m proud to bring the Soul Train Awards back to the city where it all originated. Coming off a landmark year for BET, this return reaffirms what we do best: bringing our community together around the culture, and connecting the artists who built this sound to the ones carrying it forward.” Carr says performances, honorees and host details will be announced in the coming weeks.