A Full Breakdown of How The Voice Works

In The Voice Season 27, 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 12 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.

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 one Steal to use and one Save. The Coaches leave the Battles with eight Artists per team.

RELATED: Every Winner from The Voice Season 24 Battles

For this around, Artists are paired again head to head (four pairs per team) but select their own songs to perform. The Coaches will choose one winner out of each pair, and they also get one Steal, meaning five Artists per team will advance to Playoffs. 

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. 

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 until one is named the winner.  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.