The excitement is building for music’s biggest night! The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are almost here at a significant time for the music industry. This year’s show highlights the Recording Academy’s efforts to include more genres and will also be a farewell to a much-loved host.
The 2026 awards show is shaping up to be a huge night for many of today’s top artists, with strong contenders like Kendrick Lamar and a new generation of pop stars in the running.
When & Where To Watch Live + How To Stream
The 2026 ceremony returns to Los Angeles for its 23rd year at the iconic venue.
- Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT.
- Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
- Broadcast: The show will air live on .
- Streaming: * Live: Paramount+ (specifically for Premium subscribers).
- On-Demand: Available next-day for all tiers.
- Premiere Ceremony: Streamed live earlier in the day on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel starting at 12:30 p.m. PT.
The 2026 Big Four Nominees
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This year’s nominations are dominated by a mix of rap royalty and pop’s new guard:
- Album of the Year: Contenders include Kendrick Lamar (GNX), Lady Gaga (Mayhem), Sabrina Carpenter (Man’s Best Friend), and Bad Bunny (Debí Tirar Más Fotos). For Ebaster’s Album of the Year predictions, click here.
- Record of the Year: Key nominees include “Luther” (Kendrick Lamar w/ SZA), “Abracadabra” (Lady Gaga), “Manchild” (Sabrina Carpenter), and “APT.” (Rosé & Bruno Mars).
- Song of the Year: A tight race between “Anxiety” (Doechii), “Wildflower” (Billie Eilish), and “Golden” (HUNTR/X).
- Best New Artist: A diverse group featuring Addison Rae, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, and Lola Young.
Presenters & Performers
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The 2026 stage will be packed with both veteran icons and breakout stars:
- Host: Trevor Noah returns for his sixth and final time as master of ceremonies.
- Main Ceremony Performers: Confirmed acts include Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse, and Pharrell Williams, alongside a special medley featuring all Best New Artist nominees.
- Presenters: Harry Styles and Doechii are among the first A-listers confirmed to hand out trophies.
- Premiere Ceremony: Hosted by Darren Criss, featuring performances by Spiritbox, Zara Larsson, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard.
Why This Year Matters: New Rules & Storylines
The Academy is making some important changes for 2026 to keep up with how things are today.
- New Categories: For the first time, artists will compete for Best Traditional Country Album and a standalone Best Album Cover award.
- The “Styles” Factor: With Harry Styles presenting and a new album dropping in March, rumors of a surprise performance or tour announcement are reaching a fever pitch.
- Rule Tweak: Eligibility for Best New Artist has been expanded to include acts previously featured on Album of the Year nominees, provided their contribution was under 20%.
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2026-01-30 17:19