when is the finale of american idol

The finale of American Idol Season 23 in 2025 took place on Sunday, May 18. It aired live on ABC starting at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) and lasted for three hours, with the winner being announced around 11 p.m. ET. The finale featured performances by the top three contestants Jamal Roberts, Breanna Nix, and John Foster, as well as special guest performances and a joint performance by the judges Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan. The full episode was also made available for streaming on Hulu the day after the live broadcast.