Auditions for AGT Season 22 are open now — and you don’t need a stage, a travel budget, or an agent to get in front of producers.
Whether you submit a video from your living room or join a virtual open call, the path to the AGT judges is more accessible than it’s ever been. Here’s everything you need to know, including what’s still unconfirmed, before the next cycle closes.
Has AGT Officially Been Renewed for Season 22?
Not yet, officially — but every signal points to yes. As of now, NBC hasn’t announced a formal renewal the way it did for Season 21 (confirmed March 12, 2026). What it has done is keep the casting hub at agtauditions.com open and active, and during the July 28 episode of Season 21, the show made an on-air call for viewers to submit audition videos for the next cycle.
That combination — an open casting hub plus an on-air callout mid-season — is exactly what happened before Season 21 was confirmed too. So while there’s no press release to point to yet, casting is moving forward as if a Season 22 is coming, and there’s no reason for hopeful acts to wait for an official announcement before applying.
How to Apply for AGT Auditions 2027
There are three ways in. Pick the one that works for you.
Option 1 — Video Submission
The easiest path. Go to agtauditions.com, upload your audition video or share a YouTube link, and fill out your performer profile. That’s it.
A few specs to get right before you hit upload:
- Length: Under 2 minutes
- File size: Maximum 500MB
- Orientation: Landscape (horizontal)
- Lighting and audio: Clear on both — this matters more than camera quality
- Background: Neutral when possible
Every submission gets reviewed. Because of volume, AGT can’t confirm individual receipt, so don’t expect a confirmation email — only acts moving forward will hear from a producer. And don’t submit multiple times; it won’t help your chances.
Option 2 — Virtual Open Call
This is a live audition with AGT producers over video call. Dates for Season 22 haven’t been set yet, but when they open, here’s how it works:
- Register on agtauditions.com and fill out an application form
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with your scheduled audition date
- One week out, an RSVP email lets you pick your preferred arrival window
- The night before, you get a unique link to join
- East Coast: doors open 8AM–5PM ET; West Coast: 8AM–5PM PT
- Expect the full process to take one to two hours
Option 3 — Nominate Someone
Know someone who belongs on the AGT stage? You can submit their name via AGT’s talent scout form at castitreach.com. Production may reach out directly if they’re interested.
AGT 2027 Audition Timeline
No official open-call dates have been announced for Season 22 yet, but the last cycle gives a useful pattern to plan around. For Season 21, auditions opened by talent category rather than all at once: music acts could audition starting October 18, 2025, dance acts from November 21, 2025, and variety acts from January 10, 2026 — with a standing “sign up on any date” option for anything that didn’t fit those categories.
Expect Season 22 to follow a similar staggered rollout once dates are confirmed.
| Stage | Typical Window |
|---|---|
| Video submissions open | Now (ongoing) |
| Category-specific virtual open calls announced | Fall 2026 – early 2027 |
| Producer callbacks | Late winter 2027 |
| Final casting decisions | Spring 2027 |
| Season 22 premiere (est.) | Late May – June 2027 |
One thing worth flagging: AGT’s own FAQ page currently tells applicants they’ll be notified “by the end of March 2026” if selected, while separate NBC coverage of the Season 22 cycle says final decisions land by spring 2027. That’s almost certainly a leftover date from an earlier FAQ update on AGT’s side rather than a real discrepancy — but if you see both numbers floating around, spring 2027 is the one lining up with the current cycle.
Eligibility Requirements for AGT 2027
AGT is open to all talent types and all ages, but there are a few hard rules:
- Age: All ages welcome. Minors require a parent or legal guardian’s consent
- Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or hold a valid visa with permission to be in the U.S. during auditions and live shows
- Production ties: No close employment or contractual ties to Fremantle, Syco, or NBCUniversal within the past two years
- Political office: Cannot be a current political candidate or plan to run within one year of the show airing
- Past TV experience: Allowed, but must be disclosed on your application form
All talent formats are eligible — singing, dancing, comedy, magic, stunts, variety, animal acts, and anything else you can perform.
Can Non-US Citizens Audition?
No. AGT requires U.S. citizenship, legal residency, or valid authorization to work and live in the country during both the audition and live show periods. International applicants without that status are not eligible.
What Happens After You Apply?
Here’s the pipeline once your submission is in:
- Producer review — Every video and virtual open call performance is reviewed by the AGT casting team
- Executive producer review — Acts the casting team likes go to executive producers
- Judge auditions — Acts that clear both rounds get booked to perform in front of the judges. These are the episodes you see on NBC
- Contact timeline — If selected, a producer will reach out to schedule the next round. If you don’t hear anything by spring 2027, you weren’t selected for this cycle
There’s no automated update system. No news is, unfortunately, a clear answer.
NBC’s manager of unscripted formats, Theresa Graham, has described the process as reaching for talent wherever it comes from — casting teams review every open call and video submission and pass along anyone they think is worth a shot at the executive producer level.
AGT Season 22 Judges and Host
The panel that carried Season 21 was Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel, with Terry Crews hosting — but don’t assume that lineup is locked in for Season 22 just yet.
Cowell has already missed multiple Season 21 episodes this summer while recovering from back surgery, with comedian Kenan Thompson stepping in as a guest judge in his place. That doesn’t necessarily signal a change for next season, but it does mean the Season 22 panel hasn’t been reconfirmed, and NBC typically doesn’t lock in judges until closer to the premiere. Any changes will be announced ahead of production.
Tips to Improve Your AGT Audition
There’s no formula for a Golden Buzzer — producers themselves say they’re often surprised by what the judges respond to. But there are things you can control:
- Lead with your strongest moment. Producers and judges are watching dozens of acts. If you don’t grab attention in the first 20 seconds, you may lose it
- Stay under 2 minutes. Don’t overstay your moment. A tight, memorable 90 seconds beats a meandering three-minute set every time
- Add context, briefly. The biggest auditions in AGT history usually pair a strong personal intro with the performance. A single sentence about who you are and why you’re here can shift the energy in the room before you’ve sung a note
- Don’t submit multiple times. It won’t improve your odds and could flag your profile
- Basics beat production value. Clear audio, good lighting, and landscape framing matter more than a professional camera setup
- Be authentic. The AGT casting team says repeatedly that the acts that make it feel organic — not produced, not packaged. The judges respond to something real
The AGT Prize — What Does $1 Million Actually Mean?
AGT’s $1,000,000 grand prize is real, but the structure is worth understanding before you picture the check. The prize is paid either as a 40-year financial annuity — roughly $25,000 per year before tax — or as a lump sum of the present cash value, which is significantly less than $1 million after taxes.
Beyond the money, the show’s track record as a career platform is arguably worth more. Past acts have gone on to sign recording contracts, land television roles, and headline on Broadway and in Las Vegas.
FAQ
Has Season 22 been officially confirmed?
Not formally. NBC hasn’t issued a renewal announcement yet, but the casting hub is open, applications are being actively encouraged on-air, and the pattern matches how Season 21 rolled out before its confirmation.
Who are the Season 22 judges?
Unconfirmed. Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel judged Season 21 alongside host Terry Crews, but Cowell’s mid-season absence for back surgery (with Kenan Thompson guest-judging) means the panel hasn’t been locked in for next season.
Is it free to audition for AGT?
Yes. There is no fee to submit a video or attend a virtual open call.
Can I audition entirely online?
Yes. Video submission and virtual open calls are both fully online. You do not need to attend an in-person event.
How long should my audition video be?
Under 2 minutes. AGT’s FAQ specifically recommends short and sharp over long and complete.
When will I hear back?
Only acts selected to move forward are contacted. If chosen, expect to hear from a producer by spring 2027.
Ready to Apply?
Head to agtauditions.com to submit your video or get on the list for Season 22’s virtual open calls when dates are released. If you know someone who should be on the AGT stage, nominate them at the talent scout form — sometimes the best push comes from someone who believes in you.
This article will be updated when virtual open call dates for Season 22 are confirmed and when NBC issues an official renewal announcement.
