Google confirms comedian Trevor Noah will host the Pixel 11 launch event on August 12 in New York, joined by Stephen Curry, Alex Cooper, Steven Gerrard, and a long list of celebrity guests.
Google has revealed who will be steering the show at its upcoming Pixel 11 launch: comedian Trevor Noah. The former late-night host and frequent Grammy Awards host will take the reins at “Made by Google 2026,” set for Wednesday, August 12, in New York City, taking over hosting duties from Jimmy Fallon, who led last year’s Pixel 10 event.
A Celebrity-Packed Lineup
Google didn’t stop at announcing Noah as host — the company also unveiled a lengthy list of celebrities and public figures expected to appear at or around the event. The “featuring” lineup includes NBA superstar Stephen Curry, podcaster Alex Cooper, Indian cricket star Shubman Gill, and Japanese actress Ayami Nakajo, all of whom have appeared in recent Pixel advertising campaigns.
Rounding out the guest list are DJ Peggy Gou, YouTube creator Jesser, college basketball standout JuJu Watkins, musician PinkPantheress, track and field athlete Chari Hawkins, football (soccer) manager Steven Gerrard, and actor Daniel Durant. It remains unclear at this point which of these guests will appear live at the New York event versus showing up through pre-recorded video segments, a format Google used last year when Curry appeared via video rather than in person.
Following Last Year’s Star-Studded Formula
This approach closely mirrors how Google handled its Pixel 10 launch in 2025, when Jimmy Fallon hosted and was joined by NBA legend Stephen Curry, Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, and a video performance from the Jonas Brothers. That event leaned heavily into a late-night talk show-style format, and early signs suggest Google intends to repeat that same celebrity-driven playbook for Pixel 11, just with a different host and a fresh set of famous faces.
Event Details: Date, Time, and Location
Made by Google 2026 will take place at 6 p.m. ET in New York City, marking the second consecutive year the company has chosen New York as its launch city. Notably, the event’s evening start time breaks from Google’s more typical daytime keynote scheduling, and the date itself lands about a week earlier than last year’s August 20 Pixel 10 event.
While Google’s official invitations have confirmed the date, city, and start time, the company has been more tight-lipped about the specific program format and full guest appearances until this week’s announcement, leaving plenty of anticipation building in the days leading up to the show.
What Google Is Expected to Announce
The event is expected to center on the unveiling of Google’s Pixel 11 lineup, following weeks of official teasers and a steady stream of leaks. Google has already offered brief glimpses of a Pixel 11 Pro featuring a “HiLight” active display technology, along with an early look at the next-generation Pixel Watch 5. Leaked renders and rumors have also pointed toward a new metallic gold or copper-toned device design, along with a horizontal rear camera visor and the possible return of a “Pixel Glow” RGB notification light strip inspired by past Google hardware.
Beyond the phones themselves, Google is widely expected to also detail updates across its broader hardware ecosystem, continuing the pattern of past Made by Google events that combined phone launches with wearables and audio product updates.
Why the Celebrity Host Strategy Matters
Google’s continued investment in celebrity-driven launch events reflects a broader shift in how the company is trying to position the Pixel brand — leaning less on traditional, spec-focused keynotes and more on cultural relevance and entertainment value. By tapping figures with existing ties to Pixel marketing campaigns, like Curry, Cooper, Gill, and Nakajo, Google appears to be aiming for continuity between its advertising push and the live event itself, rather than treating the launch as a standalone hardware briefing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Google’s Pixel 11 launch event? The Made by Google 2026 event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, at 6 p.m. ET in New York City.
Q: Who is hosting the Pixel 11 launch event? Comedian and former late-night host Trevor Noah will host the event, taking over from Jimmy Fallon, who hosted last year’s Pixel 10 launch.
Q: Which celebrities are expected to appear at the Pixel 11 event? Google’s announced lineup includes Stephen Curry, Alex Cooper, Shubman Gill, Ayami Nakajo, Peggy Gou, Jesser, JuJu Watkins, PinkPantheress, Chari Hawkins, Steven Gerrard, and Daniel Durant, though it’s unclear which will appear live versus via video.
Q: What products is Google expected to announce? Google is expected to unveil the Pixel 11 series, including the Pixel 11 Pro with a new “HiLight” display feature, along with the Pixel Watch 5 and possibly other hardware updates.
Q: Why is this year’s event starting later than usual? The 6 p.m. ET start time is unusual compared to Google’s typical daytime keynotes, though the company hasn’t explained the scheduling shift, and it may simply reflect a format change rather than a hint about content.
