The Voice hasn’t been the identical since Kelly Clarkson’s been gone, however followers gained’t have to look at the present with out her for much longer.
In July 2025, NBC introduced a particular “Battle of the Champions” format change for season 29, that includes the return of Clarkson and two different previous coaches.
“A Voice first, the upcoming spring cycle will likely be dubbed The Voice: Battle of Champions, marking a significant revamp to the longstanding format and nodding to the powerhouse coaches who type the one panel within the present’s historical past comprised solely of Voice winners,” a press launch for the season learn.
The announcement got here greater than two years after Clarkson left The Voice following the conclusion of season 23. She had served as a coach in seasons 14 by means of 21 and 23. She coached 4 artists to victory, together with Lady Named Tom, a sibling trio who made historical past as the primary group to win the competitors.
Under, Us Weekly shares all the things to learn about Clarkson’s return to The Voice and why she walked away within the first place:
When Is Kelly Clarkson Coming Again to ‘The Voice’?
Clarkson will return to The Voice when season 29 premieres on NBC Monday, February 23, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. The episode will likely be two hours lengthy.
Followers could discover that it is a change from the present’s typical 8 p.m. time slot, because the collection premiere of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins will likely be airing at the moment as an alternative. The Voice will proceed to air at 9 p.m. on Mondays all through the season, in keeping with NBC’s 2026 midseason schedule.
Along with the premiere on February 23, The Voice will air two extra two-hour episodes in its first week on Wednesday, February 25, and Thursday, February 26, at 8 p.m. ET.
What Is ‘The Voice: Battle of the Champions’?
“Battle of the Champions” will coincide with NBC Sports activities’ “Legendary February,” in keeping with the press launch.
“The landmark season will likely be infused with fast-paced, aggressive parts impressed by each, delivering a recent twist on the format that raises the stakes for coaches and artists alike,” the announcement reads. “’Legendary February’ refers to February 2026, when NBC Sports activities will current three of the largest occasions in sports activities in a single month – Tremendous Bowl LX, the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Video games, and the NBA All-Star Recreation.”
Season 29 will function 4 rounds, together with the blind auditions, battles, knockouts and semi-finals/finale. Coaches will begin with 10 artists per group.
Every spherical will include a singular twist. Within the blinds, coaches will compete towards one another within the “Triple Flip Competitors,” the place they vie to get essentially the most three-chair-turn artists on their groups. The winner will get a particular benefit within the subsequent spherical.
Within the battles, the Triple Flip Competitors winner will get a Tremendous Steal, which trumps one other coach’s try at a steal.
Within the knockouts, the coaches get to convey again two fan-favorite artists from their groups in earlier seasons. They’ll battle it out in head-to-head sing-offs, and the coach with essentially the most sing-off wins is assured a second finalist within the finale.
The finals could have a High 9 and a High 4. For the primary time within the competitors’s historical past, a “voting block” made up of tremendous followers and previous Voice artists will be capable to be a part of the in-studio viewers and vote for his or her favorites in actual time.
Who Are the Different Coaches on ‘The Voice’ Season 29’?
Along with Clarkson, followers will see Adam Levine and John Legend return to their pink chairs for “Battle of the Champions.”
Levine got here again to the present in season 27 after he beforehand coached in seasons 1 by means of 16. He gained the competitors thrice.
Legend, in the meantime, coached in seasons 16-21, 24, 25 and 27. He gained the present solely in his first season with artist Maelyn Jarmon.
Unique Voice coach CeeLo Inexperienced may even seem in season 29 to assist Clarkson, Levine and Legend select which artists will transfer on from the Knockouts.
Adam Levine Tyler Golden/NBC
The Voice sometimes has 4 coaches on its panel, and lots of followers have puzzled if the fourth spot will stay open in season 29 or if one other coach will likely be introduced at a later date. Nonetheless, evidently the reformatted season could have one much less pink chair to show.
Why Did Kelly Clarkson Go away ‘The Voice’?
Clarkson revealed in 2023 that she wished a “recent begin” in New York Metropolis, the place her discuss present is now based mostly, following her divorce from Brandon Blackstock.
“Full disclosure, I placed on a smile numerous these occasions as a result of I used to be struggling quite a bit in my private life,” she informed USA At the moment on the time. “I’ve realized quite a bit about what I’m able to dealing with, and in addition what you shouldn’t deal with. That was me saying ‘bye’ to The Voice and having this massive transfer. I like that household, however I used to be like, ‘I’m struggling. I can’t smile anymore. I don’t really feel like smiling.’”
