Anthony Anderson To Return To Chicago To Host Soul Train Awards 2026

Anthony Anderson is bringing comedy and culture back to Chicago as host of the 2026 Soul Train Awards where the legendary franchise first found its groove.

The Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor is hardly a stranger to the awards-show spotlight or BET. Anderson hosted the BET Awards in 2015 and 2016 and spent eight consecutive years hosting the NAACP Image Awards. He also hosted the 75th Annual Emmy Awards.

This assignment carries some extra weight because “Soul Train” is more than another television property. Created by Don Cornelius in 1971, the program helped establish a national showcase for Black music, dance and style while providing generations of performers with a major television platform.

Anderson said returning to Chicago makes the assignment particularly meaningful.

“I’m thrilled to be back with BET and especially excited to host in Chicago, where the Soul Train legacy began,” said Anthony Anderson. “Soul Train is more than a television show or an awards franchise; it’s a piece of our cultural history. Don Cornelius created a platform that gave Black artists a place to shine, and generations later, that spirit is still alive. I’m looking forward to celebrating the legends, the artists shaping R&B and soul today, and bringing a whole lot of fun to the night.”

BET executives said Anderson’s experience and connection with the network made him a natural choice as the awards enter another chapter.

“Anthony brings an incredible combination of comedic instinct, musical knowledge and genuine love for this culture,” said Connie Orlando, EVP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy for BET. “His longstanding relationship with BET, coupled with his experience hosting some of television’s biggest award shows, makes him a natural fit for this new chapter of Soul Train Awards.”

BET President Louis Carr also pointed to Anderson’s understanding of the franchise and its cultural significance.

“Anthony Anderson is an exceptional entertainer with a genuine connection to BET and the culture that Soul Train represents,” said Louis Carr, President of BET. “He understands the legacy, the music and the importance of creating a moment that brings people together. As we return Soul Train Awards to Chicago, the birthplace of the franchise, we’re excited to have Anthony at the center of this celebration.”

Anderson has a lengthy awards résumé of his own.

His work on the hit show “black-ish” earned him seven consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. He also received four Emmy nominations as a producer of the show, along with three Golden Globe nominations and three Critics Choice nominations. Anderson has won eight NAACP Image Awards and received six BET Award nominations.

The 2026 ceremony is being positioned as a bridge between the musicians who established the sound associated with “Soul Train” and contemporary artists carrying R&B now.

Performers, honorees and additional programming will be announced in the coming weeks.

Cornelius launched “Soul Train” in Chicago before the show became a national institution that featured R&B, soul, pop, funk, jazz, disco and even – reluctantly – Hip-Hop.

Its original television run lasted 35 years before its final episode aired in 2006.

BET acquired the “Soul Train” brand in 2016 and has continued developing the franchise while preserving its connection to Cornelius’ original creation.

The Soul Train Awards 2026 air Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.