2026 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony

The 12th Breakthrough Prize ceremony was held April 18, 2026, in Santa Monica, CA. The ceremony celebrated remarkable scientists whose discoveries are driving the growth of human knowledge. In the life sciences, their work has led to gene therapies for three devastating diseases – inherited blindness, sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, and identified a key genetic cause of two more – ALS and frontotemporal dementia. In physics and mathematics, they have constructed theories of the fundamental forces of nature and probed them to mind-blowing precision and revealed deep truths about the mathematical behavior of waves. The gala event brought together leaders in the science, tech and business communities alongside actors, filmmakers, writers, singers, and musicians for a glittering celebration of science. The show was hosted by James Corden and included award presenters Sam Altman, Sergey Brin, Magnus Carlsen, Brian Chesky, Lily Collins, Eileen Gu, Gigi Hadid, Demis Hassabis, Anne Hathaway, Alex Honnold, Jensen Huang, John Legend, Tekedra Mawakana, Julia Milner, Sean Penn, Mark Rober, GG Soto, Octavia Spencer, and Michelle Williams. Tom Hanks, Ron Howard, and Brian Grazer honored astronaut Jim Lovell. There were live performances by Renée Fleming and Billy Childs, David Guetta and Ava Max, and Lionel Richie. Watch the ceremony here.