iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Returns For Nine-City Holiday Run.

Jingle Ball has become a tentpole event on the iHeartMedia calendar. And unlike some of the company’s other flagship events that stay put, the holiday-themed show has become a national tour.

The show is again set to hitch up its proverbial sleigh and head across America, with nine stops planned during December. The 2026 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour will visit Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia and Nashville from Dec. 1 to Dec. 17.

This year’s rotating lineup includes Olivia Rodrigo, Jonas Brothers, Charlie Puth, SOMBR, Hilary Duff, Alex Warren, RAYE, Katseye, OneRepublic, Ludacris, Teddy Swims and Sienna Spiro, among others.

The tour begins Dec. 1 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth before heading to Los Angeles on Dec. 4, Chicago (Dec. 7) and Detroit (Dec. 8). It then moves east for Z100’s Jingle Ball at New York’s Madison Square Garden (Dec. 11), followed by Boston (Dec. 13), Washington (Dec. 14) and Philadelphia (Dec. 15). Nashville closes out the tour on Dec. 17.

Jingle Ball will also extend beyond the nine arenas. Tour stops will be featured in a television special that will air on ABC-TV in December, with the program available the following day on Hulu, Disney+ and video-on-demand.

“The Jingle Ball Tour has become the holiday season’s most anticipated concert event, showcasing the biggest stars and the songs that defined the year in music,” iHeartMedia President of Entertainment Enterprises John Sykes and Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman say in the joint announcement. “We’re excited to once again partner with ABC to share the energy and holiday spirit of iHeartRadio Jingle Ball with millions of fans nationwide.”

The New York stop will carry extra significance this year. It marks the 30th Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden for CHR “Z-100” WHTZ New York, where the station’s annual holiday concert has been held since 1996.

Other brands tied into the event include KIIS-FM Los Angeles (102.7), “103.5 Kiss FM” WKSC Chicago, “106.1 Kiss FM” KHKS Dallas, “Q-102” WIOQ Philadelphia, “Kiss 108” WXKS Boston, “Hot 99.5” WIHT-FM Washington, and “107.5 The River” WRVW Nashville.

Advertiser Cheer

The tour has become a fan favorite. But it has also evolved into more than a series of holiday concerts for iHeartMedia. Jingle Ball connects the company’s local radio brands with a national live-event platform, while giving advertisers a way to participate across multiple markets during one of the busiest consumer periods of the year.

That national sponsorship roster is led again by presenting partner Capital One. Ariana Grande Fragrances, Arm & Hammer Laundry, Gonna Need Milk, JCPenney and LifeLock have also signed on as national partners, with additional sponsors still to be announced.

Capital One cardholders get first access to tickets through a presale beginning Sept. 29 at 10am local time and continuing through Oct. 1 at 10am local time, while supplies last. General ticket sales begin Oct. 2 at noon local time. In select markets, cardholders will also be able to purchase a Capital One Access Pass for an exclusive pre-show party featuring a Jingle Ball artist.

“The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour remains the pinnacle holiday music event, and our partnership with iHeartMedia puts Capital One cardholders at the center of these extraordinary live moments,” says Capital One Senior Director of Brand Sponsorships Amit Desai.

JCPenney is expanding its involvement beyond traditional sponsorship. It will debut an iHeartRadio Jingle Ball fashion collection Oct. 21 and stage in-store experiences and activations connected to select tour stops. A nationwide sweepstakes running Oct. 13-Dec. 17 will offer prizes including a Jingle Ball trip, VIP experiences, gift cards and signed merchandise.

Giving Back

The tour will again include a charitable component. For the 13th consecutive year, eight Jingle Ball markets — Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington and Nashville will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, donating $1 from each ticket sold to the nonprofit. It creates interactive media studios in pediatric hospitals, where patients can host podcasts, produce videos and interview guests.

The Dallas/Fort Worth concert will support Kidd’s Kids, the organization founded by the late radio host Kidd Kraddick. It works with families of children with critical illnesses. Each tour stop will allocate a portion of ticket sales to its benefiting organization, with additional fundraising through online auctions.