2026 Grammy Award Nominations: Key Details Revealed
The anticipation for the 2026 Grammy Award nominations is building. The announcement is set for Friday, with a livestream starting at 8 a.m. Pacific and 11 a.m. Eastern. Fans can watch the event on the Grammy website and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
Nominee Announcement Details
A talented lineup will reveal the nominations. Notable figures include:
- Gayle King
- Doechii
- Karol G
- Lizzo
- Mumford & Sons
- Nicole Scherzinger
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Sam Smith
- Angélique Kidjo
- Brandi Carlile
- CeCe Winans
- David Foster
- Jon Batiste
- Little Big Town
- Masaki Koike
- Chappell Roan
Eligibility Criteria
Recordings eligible for nomination must have been commercially released in the U.S. from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025. Notably, Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” will not qualify. However, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend,” released on August 29, is expected to be among the contenders.
New Award Category
A new stand-alone category for best album cover has been introduced. Carpenter’s artwork for “Man’s Best Friend” has already sparked considerable conversation. The image depicts her in a provocative pose, drawing attention and speculation.
Potential Contenders
While some major artists like Swift, Beyoncé, and Adele have not released albums during the eligibility period, a few strong entries have emerged. Noteworthy albums include:
- Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX”
- Lady Gaga’s “Mayhem”
- Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
Any of these could potentially win the Album of the Year award, marking a first-time victory for these artists.
Changes to Categories
The Grammy Awards are also seeing shifts in the country music categories. Following Beyoncé’s groundbreaking win in 2025 for “Cowboy Carter,” the best country album category has been split. The existing category is now called best contemporary country album, while a new category has been created for best traditional country album.
Broadcast Information
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+ on February 1 from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Fans are eagerly anticipating this celebration of musical talent.
