The Voice 28: Format explained, including twists and turns!
The Voice returns for season 28 with a familiar structure but a handful of new twists designed to keep both contestants and viewers on their toes. The coaching panel brings back successful veterans and fresh energy: two-time winners Niall Horan and Michael Bublé, one-time winner Reba McEntire, and Snoop Dogg, who is pursuing his first trophy on the show. Across Blind Auditions, Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs and the Live shows, producers have added strategic elements that change how artists advance.
Over six Blind Audition episodes, each coach will build a team of 12 artists. From there, the season progresses through the traditional phases — Battles and Knockouts — but with several notable format changes that affect nominations, steals and audience participation. Read on for a clear breakdown of how The Voice season 28 will unfold, what’s new this year, and how fans can influence the outcome.
Carson gets a callback, and artists choose their Battle partners
One of the season’s most talked-about additions is the “Carson Callback Card.” This new twist gives host Carson Daly the authority to invite a contestant who didn’t receive any chair turns during their Blind Audition back for a second chance. The Callback Card creates dramatic second-chance moments and gives talented artists who narrowly missed the initial selection an unexpected opportunity to re-enter the competition.
Another format innovation appears in the Battle Rounds. For the first time on The Voice, coaches will ask their own team members to choose and form their Battle pairings. Rather than the coach selecting which two singers go head-to-head, the artists themselves decide their opponents within the team. This change shifts strategic responsibility to the contestants and can produce surprising matchups and musical chemistry.
Mic Drop Knockouts and a Rose Parade performance opportunity
During the Knockouts, each coach will have access to a Mic Drop button that they can press to signify an artist on their team who delivers a particularly memorable performance. After the Knockouts, viewers will be invited to vote among the four Mic Drop winners. The artist who earns the most public support will receive a notable opportunity: a performance slot at The Rose Parade Presented by Honda on January 1, 2026. This viewer-driven prize ties Knockout performances to a real-world opportunity and raises the stakes for both singers and fans.
Fans vote in The Voice 28 Playoffs! However, there is a catch.
Fan voting returns in the Playoffs with an adjusted advancement process. Each coach will choose one team member to move directly to the Live shows. Then viewers will vote to select a fifth and sixth finalist from the remaining team members. While giving fans a voice in the Playoffs is a welcome change for many, there is an important distinction this season: the Live shows will reportedly begin with six singers in total rather than the eight contestants viewers saw in recent seasons. That means fewer spots and fiercer competition as the series moves into its live phase.
Coaches will still have opportunities to save or steal during the Battle Rounds — each coach receives two steals — but The Voice has removed steals for the Knockout rounds. The revised steal allocations and the introduction of artist-chosen Battles change the strategic landscape, forcing coaches and artists to rethink how they approach each matchup.
What to expect and when
Expect a season that balances The Voice’s proven format with fresh mechanics aimed at engagement and unpredictability. The combination of the Carson Callback Card, artist-selected Battles, the Knockout Mic Drop and the Playoffs’ hybrid coach-and-fan advancement should create memorable television moments and new pathways for standout performers.
The Voice season 28 premieres on NBC Monday, September 22 and Tuesday, September 23 at 8 pm, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
With an experienced coaching panel, higher-stakes incentives and more interactive voting opportunities, The Voice 28 aims to deliver both emotional performances and competitive drama. Whether you follow the Blind Auditions, tune in for the Battles and Knockouts, or cast votes during the Playoffs, this season offers several new ways for artists to advance and for fans to shape the competition.