Mariska Hargitay to Host 78th Emmy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles

Mariska Hargitay, star of the American drama series "Law & Order: SVU," has been selected to host the 78th Emmy Awards ceremony scheduled for September 14, 2026. This marks a notable departure from recent years when comedians typically led the event. Hargitay, 62, has starred in the series since 1999 and has been nominated eight times for her role, winning the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2006.

The prestigious Emmy Awards, considered the highest honor in American television, will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, a venue long associated with the Emmys and potentially future Oscar ceremonies. The event will be broadcast live on NBC, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and will also be available for streaming. The announcement of the nominees is set to be made live on Emmys.com.

The Emmy broadcast rights rotate annually among the four major U.S. networks: CBS, NBC, ABC, and Fox. Last year, comedian Nate Bargatze hosted the ceremony. Hargitay expressed her honor at being chosen to host, highlighting the significance of the role in the television industry.