The Academy presented awards in 24 categories at the 2026 Oscars.
The 98th Academy Awards took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 15, 2026, honoring films released during 2025. The 24-category total refers to the competitive awards presented as part of the ceremony, including acting, directing, writing, filmmaking craft, music, and the short-film categories.
The number can be confusing because the Oscars also involve related honors and events that are not counted in the main ceremony total. The Academy’s Governors Awards and Scientific and Technical Awards are presented separately, while honorary and special recognitions follow different eligibility and presentation rules.
Another source of confusion is that category names and totals can change over time. The 2026 ceremony included the inaugural Best Casting award, replacing the older lineup’s total with a new category structure. Thus, 24 is the count for the 98th Oscars specifically, not a permanent number for every Academy Awards ceremony.