The 2022 New Year's Ball Drop in Times Square is Welcoming a Live Audience After Going Virtual
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This year's celebration will once again invite revelers back to Times Square to watch the Ball Drop in person
You'll still be able to watch the famous Ball Drop live with a virtual multi-media experience.
Four, three, two, one… it’s (almost) New Year's Eve! Which means it's also almost time for the famous New Year's Eve Ball Drop in New York City's Times Square.
Like most celebrations around the world, last year's ball drop looked very different, due to Covid. To ensure everyone could enjoy the ball drop tradition safely, 2021's celebration was broadcast-only, which meant no crowds gathering together in Times Square.
This year, Times Square is safely inviting spectators to gather once again to watch the Ball Drop in person, with proof of full vaccination or negative Covid test. With performances and celebrations galore, people can also enjoy a virtual multi-media experience perfect for an at-home toast with New Year's Eve cocktails.
Here's what we know about the 2022 Times Square New Year's Eve so far:
The Ball
Every year the Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year's Eve Ball welcomes in the New Year as people around the world look on. The Ball is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles of various sizes and weighs 11,875 pounds.
How to watch the Ball Drop live from Times Square
According to Times Square's official website, spectators don't have to worry about purchasing tickets. However, in order to get a spot in one of the largest New Year's Eve celebrations, you'll need to plan ahead. The celebration in Time Square is a free event and open to everyone on a first-come, first-serve basis. Just make sure you have proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 72 hours prior to the event along with a valid photo I.D.
How to Watch the Ball Drop Live on TV
Have plans or can't make it to NYC? That's never an issue. Every year we can count on major TV networks covering the ball drop on New Year's Eve:
ABC: Ryan Seacrest will host ABC's "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest." The broadcast will start at 8/7 CST and celebrate its 50th anniversary as well as the show's first time counting down in Puerto Rico. The ball drop broadcast can also be viewed on ABC Live.
CNN: Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen will co-host CNN's ball drop special, which kicks off at 8 p.m. EST. Viewers can enjoy reports from correspondents stationed at New Year's Eve celebrations around the world, including Nashville, New Orleans, and more.
NBC: "NBC's New Year's Eve 2022" will have a special host this year: Miley Cyrus! The celebration will include the ball drop as well as performances from some of music's biggest names.
How to Watch the Ball Drop Live Online or From Your Phone
The Times Square official website has several ways you can watch the ball drop online. They offer a live webcast directly on their site here, with mobile streaming also available on NewYearseve.nyc and TimesSquareBall.net. You can also watch on social media via their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Other options include Live TV packages through streaming sites like Hulu or YouTube.
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