Experts Predict Disney CEO Bob Iger's Replacement Will Be Announced SOON

It seems like we might have an answer to one of our most asked questions soon: Who will be the next CEO of The Walt Disney Company?

As we’ve previously reported, current CEO Bob Iger is expected to step down this year, in 2026, which means someone else will need to take his place. Well, with 2026 being here, it’s likely Disney has already made its decision (or is very close to a decision), and experts now think that an announcement revealing the name of the next CEO is coming soon.

According to The Los Angeles Times, Disney is expected to announce its next CEO in February. Well, February is right around the corner, and we wouldn’t be surprised if that announcement didn’t come during or around the time of Disney’s next earnings call, which happens on February 2nd.

This would coincide with a recent letter to Walt Disney Company shareholders by chairman James Gorman, who restated the board’s mission to find a successor in early 2026. Well, we’re in early 2026, so we could hear about it any day now.

A few names are already being nailed down as frontrunners, most notably Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro. However, some believe that Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Dana Walden could become the first woman to lead the Walt Disney Company. Other names that could be in the running include Co-Chairman of Disney Entertainment Alan Bergman and ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro.

Some experts are even wondering if Disney might be considering co-presidents, as they recently did with choosing Lucasfilm’s two co-presidents after Kathleen Kennedy announced she was stepping down as head of Lucasfilm.

Bob Iger previously served as Disney’s CEO from 2005 to 2020. In 2020, Bob Chapek took over as CEO, but was dismissed in 2023 as Iger stepped back into the role. Iger then committed to remain as Disney’s CEO through 2026.

Of course, we won’t know anything until Disney makes the big announcement, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates and will keep you updated, too. So be sure to check back with AllEars again soon for more.