As the American Idol Season 24 finale gets ready to air, fans are now realizing they may need far more than just a quick two-hour viewing session before finding out who wins the competition.
The live finale officially begins Monday, May 11, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC, but unlike regular episodes this season, the finale has been expanded into a massive three-hour television event packed with performances, hometown segments, celebrity duets, surprise appearances, and emotional moments before the winner is finally revealed.
That means viewers hoping to see whether Hannah Harper, Jordan McCullough, or Keyla Richardson takes home the title may have to wait until close to the very end of the broadcast.
According to multiple reports covering the finale schedule, the winner is expected to be announced around 11 p.m. ET / 10 p.m. CT, assuming the show stays on schedule throughout the live event.
And honestly, fans already expect the finale to feel completely packed from start to finish.
The three-hour event will reportedly feature nonstop performances from major guest stars including Alicia Keys, Brad Paisley, Clay Aiken, Tori Kelly, Jason Mraz, Nelly, Mötley Crüe, and many more.
The judges — Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie — are also scheduled to perform during the live broadcast.
In addition to celebrity performances, viewers will also see hometown visit packages, emotional contestant reunions, and returning eliminated singers joining the finalists on stage throughout the night.
Because of the massive lineup, fans online are already joking that the finale may feel like “three hours for thirty seconds of the winner announcement.”
Still, that has not stopped excitement from exploding online ahead of the live show.
Social media is already flooded with predictions, voting campaigns, and debates over who has the strongest momentum heading into the final vote. Many viewers say this is one of the most emotionally invested American Idol finales in years, with fanbases for all three finalists fighting intensely online.
And with the finale expected to stretch all the way until around 11 p.m. ET, fans are preparing for a very long — and very emotional — night before America officially learns who becomes the next American Idol champion.
