The 2026 GRAMMYs take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2026 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
Music’s Biggest Night returns! The Recording Academyhas announced that the 2026 GRAMMYs will take place Sunday, Feb. 1, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2026 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
The annual GRAMMY Awards process has also undergone several updates, including the addition of two new GRAMMY Categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. These expansive and exciting changes reflect both Academy member-submitted proposals and the Recording Academy’s ongoing commitment to evolving with the ever-changing musical landscape.
“The Academy’s top priority is to represent the music people that we serve each year,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said in a statement. “That entails listening carefully to our members to make sure our rules and guidelines reflect today’s music and allow us to accurately recognize as many deserving creators as possible. As we kick off another exciting GRAMMY Season, we look forward to celebrating the amazing power of music and its ability to bring so many people together.”
In an exclusive interview with GRAMMY.com, Harvey Mason jr. expressed his excitement about the new changes going into effect at the 2026 GRAMMYs. “Each year during our Awards & Nominations review, our focus is on refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way,” he told GRAMMY.com. “I’m thrilled that many of this year’s changes … allow us to honor even more creators. That’s always a positive outcome for me. But even more importantly, these are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognized and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music’s Biggest Night.“
See the full list of expansive updates — including new GRAMMY Categories, key dates and deadlines, and other impactful changes — set to debut at the 2026 GRAMMYs below.
Learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process. Read our frequently asked GRAMMY questions (FAQ) section. View the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines for the 2026 GRAMMYs. And visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.
GRAMMY Award Field & Category Updates
General Field
Eligibility for Best New Artist has been expanded to include artists who have been previously nominated in Album Of The Year, but whose contributions fell below the current 20 percent playing time threshold. This update allows acts who were credited as featured artists on projects that were GRAMMY nominated for Album Of The Year in a previous awards cycle to be eligible for Best New Artist consideration.
Country Field
The existing Best Country Album Category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album, and a new Category, Best Traditional Country Album, has been added.
Classical Field
In Classical Categories, composers and lyricists/librettists are now eligible for GRAMMY recognition alongside all other key creative personnel including artists, producers, and engineers on winning albums.
Packaging Field
The existing Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Categories have been combined into one single Category: Best Recording Package. A new Category, Best Album Cover, has also been added.
The physical product eligibility requirement for Best Recording Package, Best Album Notes, and Best Historical Album has also been expanded to be more representative of today’s marketplace. This change ensures that physical album packages sold directly to fans through an artist’s or label’s website are eligible for GRAMMY consideration.
Additionally, the Craft Committee serving in this field is transitioning from a regional to a national model.
Category Definition, Eligibility, & Criteria Updates
Minor updates to definitions, eligibility and criteria across multiple fields and awards have been reviewed and revised to be more expansive and inclusive. A full list of those changes can be found on page six of the rulebook.
2026 GRAMMYs Key Dates
Aug. 31, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2025
Product Eligibility Period
July 7, 2025 – Aug. 22, 2025
Media Company Registration Period
Media companies must apply for registration with the Recording Academy to submit recordings.
July 16, 2025 – Aug. 29, 2025
Online Entry Period
All eligible recordings must be entered prior to the close of the Online Entry Period, regardless of the public release date.
Oct. 3, 2025 – Oct. 15, 2025
First Round Voting
First Round Voting determines all the GRAMMY nominees for each GRAMMY Awards year.
Nov. 7, 2025
Nominees Announced for the 2026 GRAMMYs
Announcing the official nominees list for the 2026 GRAMMYs.
Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026
Final Round Voting
Determines the GRAMMY winners across all Categories revealed on GRAMMY night
Feb. 1, 2026
2026 GRAMMY Awards
Music’s Biggest Night, recognizing excellence in the recording arts and sciences.
This February, the 2025 GRAMMYs once again delivered a powerful, history-making night. LGBTQ+ artists took center stage, with Chappell Roan winning Best New Artist and delivering a moving call for greater support for working musicians. Doechii made history as the first queer woman — and only the third woman ever — to win Best Rap Album, while St. Vincent and Charli xcx each took home three GRAMMYs. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Gaga used the moment to advocate for trans visibility with a powerful acceptance speech.
The night also celebrated standout performances from rising and legendary artists alike, including Chappell Roan’s electrifying “Pink Pony Club” and Lady Gaga’s debut of her new single “Abracadabra.” The 2025 GRAMMYs spotlighted both history-making achievements and the next generation of music icons, proving once again that diverse artistry continues to break boundaries and redefine Music’s Biggest Night. Relive all the unforgettable moments and performances from the 2025 GRAMMYs all year long on live.GRAMMY.com.
Source: Grammys.com
