A Full Breakdown of How The Voice Works

In The Voice Season 26, Artists were chosen during Blind Auditions, and then they will successively compete (and some advance) in Battle Rounds, Knockouts, Playoffs, and Live Performance Shows.

Along the way, Coaches can utilize Blocks, Steals, and Saves to impact the course of the competition. These tools are game-altering maneuvers that we'll explore in further detail below.  

During the Blind Auditions, the decisions the Coaches make are based solely on voice and not looks as the coaches build their teams of 14 Artists. The Coaches hear the Artists perform without getting to see them, thanks to rotating chairs. If a Coach is impressed by the Artist’s voice, they push a button to select the Artist for their team. At this point, the Coach’s chair will swivel so that they can face the Artist they selected. If more than one Coach pushes the button, the power then shifts to the Artists to choose which Coach they want to work with. If no one pushes their button, the Artist is eliminated from the competition. The Artists’ family and friends watch their Blind Auditions from side stage with host Carson Daly, cheering on their loved ones and hoping for a coveted chair turn.

RELATED: Every Blind Audition on The Voice Season 24, Broken Down by Team

Anyone who wishes to audition for The Voice in hopes of becoming a Contestant must be at least 13 years old. There have been dozens of talented teenagers who have taken the stage, such as Season 19 winner Carter Rubin (who took home the crown at 15 years old) and Season 18's Levi Watkins, who auditioned at just 14.  

Also returning this season is the Block, which adds another layer of Coach competition during the Blind Auditions. The Coach chairs each have an extra set of buttons with the other three Coaches’ names on them, which prevents a Coach from adding a new Artist to their team. The Coaches can only use their Block buttons on one Artist for the entire first round of the competition. The blocked Coach only discovers they’re blocked if they press their button and though their chair will still turn, their lane lights up with “BLOCKED.” If the Coach doesn’t press their button, the block is still available for another Audition.

Once the teams are set, the Battle is on. The Coaches dedicate themselves to developing their team of Artists, giving them advice and sharing the secrets of their success. During the Battle Rounds, the Coaches will pit two of their own team members against each other to sing the same song together. The Artists are vying for their Coach’s confidence and decision to take them to the next round. After each vocal battle, the Coach must choose which of their Artists will advance to the next round of competition. This season during Battles, each coach will have TWO “Steals” to use. The Coaches leave the Battles with nine Artists per team.

RELATED: Every Winner from The Voice Season 24 Battles

The 3-way Knockouts are back, where the Artists are paired against two other teammates, but this time, they will select their own songs to perform individually while their direct competitors watch and wait. The Coaches will choose one winner out of the three, and the Artists not selected will be available to be stolen by another Coach. The Coaches each have a Save available as well. To prepare for this high-pressure competition, the Coaches enlist legendary Mega Mentors to advise each Artist competing in the Knockouts. Each Coach will take five Artists to the next round.

RELATED: The Voice Season 24 Mega Mentor Has Been Revealed — And She's a Country Legend

Artists who survive the Knockouts will advance to the Playoffs, where they will hold nothing back. Tough decisions are made when each Coach can only advance two Artists to the Live Shows. The stakes are even higher for the Artists because steals are no longer available. The Coaches each enlist a mentor in the Playoffs to help advise their artists as they vie for a spot in the Live Shows.

Once the Live Performance shows begin, the top Artists will compete against each other weekly during a live broadcast. This time the television audience will vote to save their favorite Artists. The Artists with the lowest number of votes will be eligible for the Instant Save and will each perform a new song to prove why they should continue in the competition. America can save their favorite performer by voting on The Voice Official App or NBC.com. Those with the lowest number of votes will be sent home. At the end of the competition, one Artist will be named “The Voice” and receive the grand prize of a recording contract.

RELATED: How to Vote on The Voice 

The Voice is filmed at Universal Studios in Hollywood, California.

Each year, dozens of inspired Artists flock to the West Coast with hopes of seeing one of the iconic red chairs turn on the studio lot.