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March 15, 2026 · 7 PM ET · ABC / Hulu

Oscars 2026 Drinking Game

98th Academy Awards · Hosted by Conan O'Brien

13 rules to keep you sipping through every acceptance speech, awkward presenter moment, and surprise upset. Plus “The Golden Envelope” cocktail to set the mood.

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The Rules

Take a Sip

  • A presenter says "And the Oscar goes to..."
  • A winner thanks their spouse or partner
  • Anyone in the audience is caught on their phone

Take Two Sips

  • A winner cries during their speech
  • The orchestra plays someone off before they finish
  • Conan roasts a specific celebrity sitting in the audience
  • Someone says "I didn't prepare a speech" (they definitely did)

Take a Shot

  • Paul Thomas Anderson wins Best Director (his first Oscar ever — heavily favored)
  • Conan references the Will Smith slap
  • Someone stumbles reading the teleprompter or mispronounces a nominee's name

Finish Your Drink

  • Sinners upsets One Battle After Another for Best Picture
  • Michael B. Jordan wins Best Actor over Timothée Chalamet
  • The show runs past 11:30 PM ET

Themed Cocktail

The Golden Envelope

Gold like the statuette, bubbly like the ceremony.

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz prosecco or champagne
  • 1 oz St-Germain (elderflower liqueur)
  • 0.5 oz fresh orange juice
  • Splash of club soda
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Edible gold luster dust (optional)

Instructions:

  1. 1Pour the St-Germain and orange juice into a champagne flute
  2. 2Top with prosecco
  3. 3Add a splash of club soda
  4. 4If using gold luster dust, stir a tiny pinch in — the drink will shimmer
  5. 5Garnish with a curled orange peel
  6. 6Toast to the nominees and drink irresponsibly responsibly

Key Races to Watch

Best Picture

One Battle After Another (PTA) has swept DGA, PGA, BAFTA, and Critics Choice. Sinners (Coogler) holds 16 nominations — an all-time record — and won SAG Ensemble. An upset would be historic.

Best Actor

Michael B. Jordan (Sinners) won SAG, unseating Timothée Chalamet (Marty Supreme) who took the Globe and Critics Choice. A genuine toss-up.

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson has swept every precursor. A win would be his first Oscar after a legendary career spanning Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood, and Phantom Thread.

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) is the frontrunner after winning the Golden Globe and Critics Choice. She'd be a first-time winner.

Fun Facts

  • Sinners' 16 nominations break the all-time record held by All About Eve, Titanic, and La La Land (14 each).
  • Best Casting debuts as a new category — the first new competitive Oscar since Best Animated Feature in 2001.
  • Conan O'Brien is the first host to return for a second consecutive year since Jimmy Kimmel in 2023-2024.
  • Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) is the first woman ever re-nominated for Best Director after previously winning.
  • Timothée Chalamet is the youngest person ever nominated for both acting and producing in the same year.

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Disclaimer: Drink responsibly. This is intended for adults of legal drinking age. Never drink and drive. Always know your limits and drink in moderation.