How to Watch Styx, Foreigner and More Perform on New Year’s Eve ‘Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026’
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What To Know
- The Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026 is a syndicated New Year’s Eve TV special featuring live performances from classic rock acts like Styx, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, and more.
- The broadcast will air live on December 31, 2025, across over 100 Nexstar stations and digital platforms, with celebrations originating from Times Square, Dallas, Chandler (AZ), and Las Vegas.
- Each location will have its own hosts and unique festivities, including iconic ball drops, fireworks, and drone shows, making it a multi-city, family-friendly event.
Classic rock fans have a lot to be excited for this New Year’s Eve: in recent years, Coast-to-Coast Countdown has become one of those end-of-year traditions, especially for viewers who want live music mixed in with the familiar countdown rituals. This year’s production will give viewers the chance to ring in 2026 with Styx, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, UB40 and more classic rock favorites.
Based on what has been officially announced so far, here is everything we know about the classic rock-centered Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026.
What exactly is Coast-to-Coast Countdown?
Susan Watts/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Coast-to-Coast Countdown is a syndicated New Year’s Eve television special produced by Nexstar Media Group and carried across more than one hundred Nexstar-owned and partner stations nationwide. Unlike a single-stage broadcast, the show is designed to move across time zones, letting viewers celebrate midnight more than once if they choose.
“Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026 is a phenomenal production that brings together millions of viewers throughout the U.S.,” Andrew Alford, president of Nexstar’s broadcasting division said. “Whether you catch just a few minutes at midnight, or stay tuned in for the entire celebration, this year’s production has something for every member of the family—great music, iconic locations, and fireworks across the country. We’re looking forward to the best New Year’s Eve broadcast yet.”
How to watch Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026
For 2025 leading into 2026, the special is scheduled to air live on Wednesday, December 31, beginning at 11:00pm ET and 8:00pm PT, with the full broadcast running approximately four and a half hours. The special is syndicated, which means that it is picked up by local channels who work with Nexstar. You can find a list of stations across the country that carry Nexstar programming here, or check your local listings.
In addition to television broadcasts, Nexstar has confirmed that the entire special will also be streamed on some participating stations’ digital platforms, along with bonus content not seen on TV — once you’ve located the local channel carrying the special, check their website to see if they’ll be showing the online bonus material.
Where will Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026 broadcast from?
For 2026, the broadcast will originate from four major sites. Those locations are Times Square in New York City, Reunion Tower in Dallas, Gila River Resorts and Casinos in Chandler, Arizona, and the pirate ship at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Times Square anchors the night with the iconic ball drop. Dallas contributes a large-scale fireworks and drone show from Reunion Tower. Arizona’s segment features fireworks from Gila River Resorts and Casinos, while Las Vegas closes things out with an extended fireworks display launched from rooftops along the Strip near Treasure Island.
Who will host Coast-to-Coast Countdown 2026?
Each location has its own hosts. Times Square coverage will be hosted by JD Roberto and Marysol Castro, guiding viewers through the countdown to midnight in New York. In Dallas, the Reunion Tower segment focuses on fireworks and drones. Arizona’s portion is hosted live from Rawhide Western Town, with Brad Perry and Teresa Strasser leading the celebration. Las Vegas duties fall to Michael Yo and Nikki Novak, who host the Strip’s multi-hotel fireworks finale.
Who will perform: the classic rock lineup
Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Music is the backbone of Coast-to-Coast Countdown, and the 2026 lineup leans heavily into recognizable classic and legacy acts. Confirmed performers include Styx, Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon, 38 Special, The Marshall Tucker Band, UB40, Mac McAnally and Bri Bagwell. Rather than one long concert, the performances are spread throughout the broadcast, woven between countdowns and city celebrations.
