Oscars 2026 date, UK start time, how to watch live on ITV, plus the latest betting odds for the main categories.
The 2026 Oscars are fast approaching, with Hollywood’s biggest night once again drawing huge interest from UK viewers — and bettors. From when the ceremony starts in the UK to where you can watch it live, plus get the latest Oscars betting odds through Oddschecker, here’s everything you need to know ahead of Oscars night.
When is the Oscars 2026? (UK Time)
The 2026 Oscars take place on Sunday 15 March 2026, with the ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
For UK viewers, the main ceremony will begin at 11:00pm GMT, running through to the early hours of Monday 16 March. The earlier-than-usual UK start time is due to the US moving to daylight saving time ahead of the UK.
Red carpet coverage begins earlier in the evening, with ITV’s live build-up starting from around 10:15pm GMT.
How & Where Can I Watch the Oscars in the UK?
UK viewers can watch the Oscars 2026 live and free-to-air on ITV1, with full streaming coverage available via ITVX.
ITV holds the exclusive UK broadcast rights for the third consecutive year, offering:
- Live red carpet coverage
- The full Academy Awards ceremony
- On-demand highlights and catch-up via ITVX
Unlike the US broadcast, which airs on ABC and streams on Hulu, Hulu is not available in the UK, making ITV the go-to destination for British viewers.
Who Is the Favourite to Win Best Picture at the Oscars 2026?
The Best Picture betting market is headed by One Battle After Another, which is the clear favourite at 1/4 with bookmakers.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s political action epic has been a dominant force throughout awards season and sits alone at the top of the market, reflecting its strong performance across major critics’ awards and industry guilds.
Second favourite Sinners is priced at 11/4, remaining firmly in contention after landing a record-breaking 16 Oscar nominations, but still needing to overturn the market leader on the night.
Further back, Hamnet is available at 18/1, while Marty Supreme is priced between 33/1 and 50/1, depending on bookmaker. F1: The Movie is a triple‑figure outsider at 100/1, with films such as Sentimental Value, Train Dreams, The Secret Agent, Bugonia and Frankenstein all trading at 66/1 or bigger, underlining how strongly this market is centred around the top two.
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Who Is the Favourite to Win Best Actor at the Oscars 2026?
The Best Actor betting market is led by Michael B. Jordan, who is the clear favourite at 8/15 for his performance in Sinners.
Jordan’s position at the top of the market reflects a strong awards‑season campaign, with bookmakers making him the most likely winner heading into Oscar night.
Closest challenger Timothée Chalamet is priced at 13/8 for Marty Supreme, keeping him firmly in contention but still needing to overturn the market leader.
Further back, Leonardo DiCaprio is available at 14/1 for One Battle After Another, while Wagner Moura is priced around 16/1 for The Secret Agent. Ethan Hawke is the outsider of the main contenders at 20/1, underlining how tightly this market is focused on the top two.
Who Is the Favourite to Win Best Actress at the Oscars 2026?
The Best Actress betting market is dominated by Jessie Buckley, who is an overwhelming favourite at 1/40 for her performance in Hamnet.
Buckley’s position at the top of the market reflects a near‑perfect awards‑season run, with bookmakers offering extremely short odds to reflect the strength of her claim. Several firms go even shorter, with prices as low as 1/50 and 1/100 available in places, underlining how one‑sided this market has become.
The nearest challenger is Rose Byrne, priced at 10/1 for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, while Renate Reinsve follows at 25/1–33/1 for Sentimental Value. Kate Hudson is available at 40/1 for Song Sung Blue, with Emma Stone the biggest outsider of the main contenders at 66/1 for Bugonia.
With Buckley trading at such short odds, the Best Actress category looks one of the most settled markets on the 2026 Oscars betting board.
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Who Is the Favourite to Win Best Director at the Oscars 2026?
The Best Director betting market is firmly led by Paul Thomas Anderson, who is a strong favourite at 1/16 for One Battle After Another.
Anderson’s position at the top of the market reflects his dominance across the directing precursors this season, with bookmakers making him the most likely winner on Oscar night. Some firms have gone even shorter earlier in the market, highlighting how solid his standing has been throughout awards season.
The nearest challenger is Ryan Coogler, priced at 8/1 for Sinners, following his film’s record‑breaking 16 nominations. Chloé Zhao is next in the betting at 14/1–16/1 for Hamnet, while Josh Safdie is available at 33/1 for Marty Supreme. Joachim Trier rounds out the main contenders at 40/1 or bigger for Sentimental Value.
With Anderson trading at such short odds, the Best Director category looks one of the more settled markets on the 2026 Oscars betting card.
Who Is the Favourite to Win Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars 2026?
The Best Original Screenplay betting market is headed by Sinners, which is the clear favourite at 1/16.
The film’s sharp, original writing has been one of its standout elements throughout awards season, and bookmakers have made it a strong favourite, with prices as short as 1/20 and 1/25 also available in places.
Second favourite Marty Supreme is priced at 8/1, positioning it as the only realistic challenger to the market leader. Sentimental Valuesits further back at 20/1, while It Was Just an Accident is available at 16/1–18/1, depending on bookmaker.
Rounding out the market, Blue Moon is a bigger outsider at 40/1–50/1, underlining how firmly this category appears to revolve around Sinners.
With the favourite trading at such short odds, Best Original Screenplay looks one of the more settled betting markets at the 2026 Oscars.
Bet on the Oscars with Oddschecker
With the 2026 Oscars almost here, Oddschecker is the best place to compare the latest betting odds across all major categories, including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
Track shortening favourites, drifting contenders and best prices across UK bookmakers in real time, all in one place. Whether you’re backing a red‑hot favourite or looking for value further down the board, Oddschecker helps you make an informed decision ahead of Hollywood’s biggest night.
Visit the Oddschecker Oscars betting page to compare odds, explore markets and stay up to date as the ceremony approaches.
