It’s almost here. Ball Drop 2026 – the crowning moment of New Year's Eve – is upon us! Diana Ross and Ciara are among the star performers as more than 1 million revellers head to Times Square to watch the Ball Drop in New York City.
Here's how to watch Ball Drop 2026 online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for FREE.
The Ball Drop 2026 festivities start at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Wednesday, December 31.
• WATCH FREE — TimesSquareNYC.org / TimesSquareBall.net / YouTube (Global)
• U.S. — ABC or CNN (via Sling TV or Fubo)
• Watch anywhere — try NortonVPN risk-free
The famous timeball is traditionally raised up to the summit of a flagpole atop One Times Square at 6 p.m. ET on New Year's Eve, where it remains for six hours, before the 60-second descent at 11.59 p.m. ET sharp, complete with a light show and 3,000 pounds of confetti.
Ball Drop has become the focal point of NYE. "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve" with Ryan Seacrest on ABC remains the default choice for TV viewers, the most popular alternative being "New Year's Eve Live" with Anderson Cooper on CNN.
Read to ring in the new year? Both TV shows incorporate the 60-second countdown and capture the atmosphere at Times Square, and you can read on as we explain how to watch Ball Drop 2025 online and from anywhere.
How to watch Ball Drop 2026 free online
Ball Drop 2025 will be available to live stream for free on TimesSquareNYC.org, TimesSquareBall.net, and each of the websites' associated social media pages.
A live stream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will also be available on YouTube.
Each of these streams will be commercial-free, starting at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT and ending six and a half hours later, at 12:30 a.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. PT.
They'll feature a variety of performances, by the LE SSERAFIM (8:26 p.m. ET), AGNEW (8:41 p.m. ET), Robyn (9:18 p.m. ET), Little Big Town (9:35 p.m. ET), Diana Ross (11:37 p.m. ET), and Tones And I (11:55 p.m. ET).
After midnight Ciara performs her medley of hit songs on "New Year's Rockin' Eve".
The headline performances will not be shown on any of these free feeds. For the full experience, you might want to consider Sling TV. Info below.
Watch Ball Drop 2026 from anywhere
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), your usual Ball Drop 2026 live stream should be available to watch no matter where you are. The software allows your devices to appear as if they're back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. Our choice is Norton VPN.
It's really simple to use a VPN to watch the NYE Ball Drop 2026.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NortonVPN is the one we recommend for this.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the U.K. and want to watch your usual U.S. stream, select 'U.S.' from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head over to your U.S. streaming service and watch the Ball Drop live, just as if you were at home.
More ways to watch Ball Drop 2026 in the U.S.
As detailed above, there are numerous ways to watch Ball Drop 2025 for free. But if you'd rather have more color in your New Year's Eve viewing, both ABC's "Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve" with Ryan Seacrest, and CNN's "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper" will feature the Times Square Ball Drop. Both shows start at 8 p.m. ET. Full lineups at the bottom of this page.
If you can pull down ABC or CNN with one of the best TV antennas or through your cable plan, you're all set.
Alternatively, ABC and CNN are among the channel line-ups of a good few of our picks for the best streaming services. Those include Sling TV, which offers ABC in select cities. Other options include Fubo, YouTube TV, DirecTV and Hulu with Live TV (3-day free trial).
Sling TV is among the best value cable replacements, costing from $45.99/month and half price for your first month. Just be aware that ABC is only available on Sling Blue in select markets.
Fubo is another option. It's pricier but has all of the major networks, including ABC and a 7-day free trial so you don't need to pay up front. Prices usually start from $79.99/month but if you're quick you might just grab a discount off your first month.
Ball Drop 2026 performers
(All times ET)
6:03 p.m. — James McCarthy
6:30 p.m. — B.o.B
8:03 p.m. — Tones And I
8:26 p.m. — LE SSERAFIM
8:41 p.m. — AGNEW
9:18 p.m. — Robyn
9:35 p.m. — Little Big Town
10:02 p.m. — Xavi
10:33 p.m. — Maren Morris
11:02 p.m. — Ana Barbara
11:37 p.m. — Diana Ross
11:55 p.m. — Tones And I
After midnight — Ciara
See timessquarenyc.org for live timings.
Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve guests
Chappell Roan
Mariah Carey
Diana Ross
Post Malone
Charlie Puth
50 Cent
Demi Lovato
Maren Morris
Pitbull
OneRepublic
Jordan Davis
4 Non Blondes
Leon Thomas
Jessie Murph
6lack
Goo Goo Dolls
Daddy Yankee
New Kids on the Block
AJR
BigXthaPlug
Busta Rhymes
New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen guests
Stephen Colbert, Robyn performing live from Times Square, Shakira performing from Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, Brandy and Monica from The Boy Is Mine Tour presented by BPC, Bryan Adams from Madison Square Garden, Florence + The Machine, RAYE, mentalist Oz Perlman, Amy Sedaris, Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, Aloe Blacc, Patti LaBelle, Grammy and Tony Nominated Singer, Songwriter Michelle Williams, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, comedians B.J. Novak, Leanne Morgan, Sarah Sherman and more.
More from Tom's Guide
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