Where to watch the ball drop live for free this New Year’s Eve 2026 anywhere from the world

With 2026 just hours away, viewers across the US are searching for where to watch the ball drop, where can I watch the ball drop, and what channel is the ball drop on tonight. From traditional TV broadcasts to live streaming options, several platforms are offering access to the iconic New Year’s Times Square ball drop without requiring cable.

Here’s a complete guide on where to watch the ball drop 2026, including TV channels, streaming services, start times, and performers.

How to watch the ball drop live on New Year’s Eve

One of the most widely watched countdowns remains Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The annual broadcast airs live on ABC New Year’s Eve programming and continues to be the go-to option for viewers wondering where to watch the New Year’s Eve countdown.

Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2026: where to watch

• Channel: ABC
  
• Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
  
• Host: Ryan Seacrest (Ryan Seacrest New Year’s Eve)
  
• Location: Times Square, New York City
  

For those asking what time does Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve starts or when does New Year’s Rockin’ Eve starts, the broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET and runs through midnight. The New Year’s Rockin’ Eve lineup for 2026 includes performances by Diana Ross, Mariah Carey, Post Malone, and other major artists, making it one of the biggest New Year’s Eve TV specials.

Viewers can stream the show live using platforms like Fubo, which offers a free trial—an option for those searching for how to watch the ball drop without cable or where to stream the 2026 ball drop.

Where to watch the ball drop live for free

Another popular alternative is CNN’s New Year’s Eve coverage, hosted by Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. The broadcast is part of CNN’s New Year’s Eve show lineup and appeals to viewers looking for a different style of countdown.

• Channel: CNN
  
• Start time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
  

This year’s CNN coverage overlaps with the Nashville New Year’s Eve Bash, featuring country music performances. Viewers wondering where can you watch the ball drop or what streaming service has the ball drop can access CNN via free trials on DirecTV Stream or Paramount+.

How to watch Ball Drop New Year’s Eve specials from anywhere

For viewers traveling outside the US and asking where can I stream the ball drop 2026, a VPN can help access US-based streaming platforms. VPNs allow users to change their virtual location and continue watching New Year’s Eve streaming options they already subscribe to.


This method works best for Americans abroad with valid US payment methods, especially those trying to stream Rockin’ New Year’s Eve 2026 or Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve live.

What is the New Year’s iconic ball drop tradition?

The Times Square Ball is a ceremonial time ball located atop One Times Square in New York City and is the centerpiece of the iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop. Each year, the ball descends starting at 11:59 p.m. ET and reaches the bottom at midnight to mark the start of the new year.

First held on December 31, 1907, the tradition was introduced by The New York Times publisher Adolph Ochs. Over the years, the ball has evolved from a small wooden sphere lit by incandescent bulbs into a 12.5-foot crystal-covered ball illuminated by more than 32,000 LEDs. Since 1999, it has featured Waterford Crystal panels and is now a permanent fixture atop the building.