The Voice Season 28 Playoffs Shock Fans After Emotional Knockouts

NBC’s The Voice Season 28 is officially moving into its Playoffs stage following an emotional and competitive Knockout round that aired through November 3. Coaches Reba McEntire, Snoop Dogg, Niall Horan, and Michael Bublé now face their toughest decisions yet — with no more steals or saves remaining.

The Knockout phase delivered powerful performances, shocking eliminations, and heartfelt moments that left both viewers and coaches emotional. As the Playoffs approach, fans are eager to see which contestants will rise under the pressure when the next round officially begins.

Teams, Performances, and Results

The Knockouts ended with standout moments across all four teams.

• Team Reba: Aubrey Nicole moved forward after a touching rendition of “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” while Leyton Robinson was eliminated after performing “I Could Use A Love Song.”

• Team Snoop: Ralph Edwards impressed with his version of “Dive” and advanced over Kenny Iko. Snoop described Ralph as having “the IT factor.”

• Team Niall: Sadie Dahl earned her Playoffs spot with “Too Good at Goodbyes” while Ava Nat exited after “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”

• Team Bublé: Max Cooper III and Max Chambers are set for a dramatic face-off, with Chambers — just 14 — already drawing national attention.

Upcoming matchups include Team Snoop’s Toni Lorene vs. Natalia Albertini, both of whom have been fan favorites, and Team Niall’s Aiden Ross vs. Liam Von Elbe, two strong vocalists competing for a Playoffs berth.

Coaches’ Reactions and On-Air Highlights

Each coach expressed both pride and difficulty as they prepared to narrow their teams further.

• Reba McEntire was visibly emotional after Aubrey’s performance, saying, “You sang that from the heart — that’s what this show is all about.”

• Snoop Dogg emphasized artistry over perfection: “This round is about who connects, not just who hits the notes.”

• Niall Horan praised his team’s versatility, while Michael Bublé highlighted mentorship from Zac Brown as a key to his singers’ growth.

Higher Stakes and New Format

For The Voice Season 28, NBC confirmed there would be no steals or saves in the Knockouts, raising the stakes for every contestant. Each coach will advance only four artists into the Playoffs, making this one of the most competitive seasons yet.

The Mic Drop feature — a new addition this year — allows coaches to spotlight one artist for a special showcase, adding excitement as fans anticipate who will receive this honor.

The Playoffs and Live Shows

The Voice Season 28 Playoffs will begin following the November 3 Knockout continuation episode. Sixteen contestants in total — four from each team — will compete for a place in the Live Shows.

As anticipation builds, social media buzz continues to grow, with fans predicting the next breakout stars of the competition. With emotional performances, no safety nets, and fierce rivalries, the Playoffs promise some of the most memorable moments of the season.