Anthony Anderson has been announced as the host of the 2026 Soul Train Awards, as the iconic ceremony prepares to return following a three-year hiatus.

BET confirmed that the actor and comedian will lead this year’s ceremony, which will take place in Chicago, the city where Don Cornelius launched the original Soul Train in 1971. The show will air on Friday, November 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS, marking the awards’ first-ever broadcast on CBS.

Anderson expressed his excitement about returning to BET and hosting the ceremony in Chicago, highlighting Soul Train’s longstanding role in Black music and culture.

“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 added that he looks forward to celebrating the legends of the culture and the artists shaping R&B and soul today.

Anderson is no stranger to major awards shows. He previously hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016, the NAACP Image Awards for multiple consecutive years, and the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. He also hosted the Soul Train Awards in 2013.

The 2026 ceremony will mark the return of the Soul Train Awards after the last edition aired in 2023, when Keke Palmer served as host. This year’s event will be produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment, with Spotify and Toyota serving as partners.

BET has yet to announce the 2026 performers, honorees and additional special moments, with those details expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The return to Chicago is particularly significant for the franchise. Soul Train became a defining platform for Black artists, musicians, dancers and entertainers during its 35-year television run, helping shape the presentation of Black music and culture on American television.

With Anderson at the helm, the 2026 Soul Train Awards will bring the franchise back to its roots while introducing a new chapter with its first CBS broadcast.