“American Idol” is preparing for its landmark 25th season, but the show will have a noticeably different home when it returns in 2027. Producer Fremantle has confirmed that production is moving from Los Angeles to Georgia, ending a major part of the competition’s longtime connection to Hollywood.
The move is expected to bring production to the Atlanta area. Fremantle is reportedly in final negotiations with a studio complex there, although the specific facility has not yet been officially announced.
For “American Idol,” leaving Hollywood carries special significance. For years, contestants who impressed the judges received Golden Tickets and heard the famous message that they were “going to Hollywood,” making California part of the show’s identity.
The transition actually began before Season 25. During Season 24, the traditional Hollywood Week was moved to Belmont University’s Fisher Center in Nashville and renamed the “Music City Takeover,” although the later live shows still took place in Los Angeles.
Season 25’s Georgia move goes considerably further. The most recent season had been based at Red Studios in Hollywood, while Fremantle has now confirmed that the upcoming season’s production will relocate to Georgia. Exactly which stages of the competition will film there has not yet been detailed.
Financial considerations appear to be an important factor. Georgia offers qualifying reality and unscripted television productions a tax credit of up to 30%, making the state increasingly attractive to producers looking to control the cost of large television productions.
California recently expanded its own incentive program to include certain large-scale competition shows. However, industry reporting says “American Idol” did not qualify for California’s incentive, while Fremantle has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for its decision to relocate.
The move is part of a wider shift affecting television production in Los Angeles. FilmLA data cited by Deadline showed that unscripted production in the region had fallen substantially over the previous five years, while other established programs have also moved elsewhere in search of lower costs and stronger incentives.
Despite the behind-the-scenes shakeup, “American Idol” itself is definitely returning. ABC officially renewed the competition in July for Season 25, which will also mark its 10th season on ABC since the network revived the series in 2018.
Auditions for the new season are already underway through “Idol Across America.” The virtual nationwide search allows eligible singers to audition face-to-face with producers from across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., before selected hopefuls move further into the process.
Another major question involves the judging panel. Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie judged Season 24 and are reportedly expected to return, but as of September 16, ABC has not officially confirmed the Season 25 judging lineup.
ABC has confirmed that “American Idol” will return in 2027, although an exact premiere date has not yet been announced. With its 25th season approaching and production moving hundreds of miles away from the city historically embedded in the show’s identity, the next chapter of “Idol” could look very different—even if the search for America’s next singing star remains at its heart.
