The Soul Train Awards are returning to television this fall after a lengthy hiatus, with BET announcing a revamped 2026 ceremony that will also receive its first-ever simulcast on CBS. The awards show is scheduled to air Friday, Nov. 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

The 2026 ceremony will be taped in Chicago, the city where Don Cornelius launched the original Soul Train more than five decades ago. The program will also air across BET Her, VH1, MTV2 and Logo, expanding the broadcast beyond its traditional BET home.

BET executive vice president Connie Orlando provided additional details in a Sept. 4 industry letter, describing the returning ceremony as a two-hour production that will honor four to five musical icons. The revamped format will also include two fan-voted categories and performances from established and contemporary R&B and soul artists.

The network has also confirmed that the 2026 ceremony will not use the previous open label submission process for award consideration. Instead, the show will feature a more limited fan-voting component, with details on categories, nominees and voting expected to be announced later.

The return follows the suspension of the Soul Train Awards after its 2023 ceremony, which was hosted by Keke Palmer and taped in Los Angeles. That edition featured performances from SWV, Muni Long and October London, while SZA, Usher, Janelle Monáe and Coco Jones were among the night’s notable winners.

The 2026 edition is being presented by Spotify and Toyota, with Spotify serving as the exclusive music streaming partner and Toyota as the exclusive automotive partner. Jesse Collins Entertainment is returning as the production company.

BET has said the new ceremony will combine artists who helped define R&B and soul with performers shaping the genres today. The network has yet to announce the 2026 host, honorees, nominees or performers, with those details expected in the coming weeks.

The Soul Train Awards will air Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS, with additional broadcasts on BET Her, VH1, MTV2 and Logo.