Tate McRae performs during the iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.Chris Pizzello/The Canadian Press
Justin Bieber and Tate McRae will face off in all six Junos categories that they’re nominated for, including artist of the year and the fan choice award.
The pair of pop stars lead the nominations for the 2026 Junos, which will be handed out in March.
They’re both up for artist of the year and album of the year – Bieber for Swag II and McRae for So Close to What – and will also compete in the single of the year category, with Bieber’s lo-fi Daisies up against the Y2K throwback Sports car.
Meanwhile, The Weeknd is nominated for five Junos, including album of the year for Hurry Up Tomorrow and single of the year for Cry For Me.
As it stands, the artist born Abel Tesfaye has 22 Junos, second only to Anne Murray’s 24 (not including her two career honours), meaning this year he could become the winningest artist.
Newcomer Cameron Whitcomb is also in the running for five awards, including the fan choice prize, breakthrough artist of the year, single of the year for Options, and album of the year and country album of the year for his debut The Hard Way.
Also up for album of the year and country album of the year is Josh Ross for Later Tonight. The Burlington, Ont., native is up for the fan choice award and single of the year for Hate How You Look.
In a new category called Latin music recording of the year, the inaugural nominees are Alex Cuba, Lido Pimienta, Andy Rubal, Isabella Lovestory and Mario Puglia.
The Junos will be handed out at a gala on Saturday, March 28 and during a live broadcast hosted by comedian Mae Martin on Sunday, March 29.