The New Year's Eve organizers tested the ball drop ahead of the annual party in Times Square.
The countdown to 2026 begins.
Times Square and New York City are ready to welcome the new year after organizers tested the new and updated Constellation Ball, described as the "centerpiece" of the annual countdown celebration on Dec. 31. With 5,280 Waterford crystals and LED light pucks, the ball features nearly double the number of crystals as the previous ball, according to a One Times Square news release.
While the Times Square Ball is described as "a universal symbol of the New Year," on its website, CBS will be hosting its New Year's Eve celebrations - "Nashville Big Bash" - in Tennessee, though it will be ringing in New Year's from New York City as well.
How to watch 'Nashville's Big Bash' on New Year's Eve for 2026
CBS will air "Nashville's Big Bash," hosted by comedian and actor Bert Kreischer and country music star HARDY, from Bicentennial Park in Nashville.
The show, scheduled to air live Wednesday, Dec. 31, will begin at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will go until 10 p.m. before taking a half-hour break and resuming at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT and going until 1:30 a.m.
The show will air on the CBS Television Network and will also be available to stream on Paramount+ for Premium plan subscribers. Paramount+ Essential subscribers, meanwhile, will be able to watch it on-demand on New Year's Day.
Social media star Haley Baylee will "count down with the East Coast at midnight ET for New York City's Ball Drop," CBS said in a news release, adding "Kreischer and HARDY will keep the party going through midnight CT, featuring Nashville's renowned Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Stage."
When is the ball drop?
The Times Square New Year's Eve celebrations will kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and the New Year's Eve ball will be raised to the top of the pole at One Times Square. At exactly 11:59 p.m. ET, the ball will make its 60-second descent down the flagpole to signal the start of the new year.
This year's Constellation Ball is the ninth iteration of the ball since its debut in 1907 and the largest one yet, measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds, according to a One Times Square news release. Organizers said the ball also "features new modernized technology, with state-of-the-art lighting, motion, and control system, as well as a new signature sound and interactive capabilities."
This year, the ball is also expected to mark America's 250th anniversary. America250 announced on Dec. 27 the "surprise second post-midnight moment" and said the ball will be relit with an America250 design, rising above the illuminated "2026" numerals at approximately 12:04 a.m. ET.
Who is performing on New Year's Eve 2026 on CBS?
Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson and Bailey Zimmerman will headline CBS' New Year's Eve celebrations along with HARDY and special guests CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
CBS said the five-hour special will also feature performances by Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Marcus King, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. from various venues across the city. Comedian Dusty Slay, Sirius XM host Buzz Brainard and UFC champion Kayla Harrison are also expected to make special appearances.
How to watch Times Square ball drop for 2026
While multiple broadcasters, including ABC, will be airing the New Year's Eve celebrations live on their TV channels and streaming platforms, audiences can also catch the live webcast on Times Square's official website starting 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
"Enjoy commercial-free, webcast coverage of the festivities leading up to the Ball Drop at midnight, including backstage access, behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with performers and other celebrities," Times Square says on its website.
A livestream with open captions and American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will also be available on YouTube.
USA TODAY will also be streaming the New Year's Eve celebrations from Times Square live.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY.