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The 2026 Grammy Award nominations are being announced today in a live-streamed event presented by some of the biggest names in pop.
Among the artists booked to announce the nominees are Sabrina Carpenter, rapper Doechii, Lizzo, Mumford & Sons, Gayle King, Sam Smith, Jon Batiste, and last year’s Best New Artist winner, Chappell Roan.
Only recordings commercially released in the US between 31 August 2024 to 30 August 2025 are deemed eligible, meaning Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl won’t be showing up in any of the categories.
Albums you might see, however, include Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend, released on 29 August this year, along with Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, Bad Bunny’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos and Kendrick Lamar’s GNX.
Breakthrough British star Olivia Dean is widely hoped to land a spot in next year’s Best New Artist category, thanks to the huge success of her single “Man I Need”, which recently reached the top 10 the Billboard Hot 100. Lola Young is also a contender, as is US singer-songwriter Alex Warren thanks to his viral track “Ordinary”.
Fans can watch the announcement via video livestream on the Grammys website and the Recording Academy’s YouTube from Friday (7 November) at 8am PT/11am ET/4pm GMT.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on 1 February at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles and be broadcast live from CBS and Paramount+.
Follow live updates below
Grammy 2026 nominations – key pointsWhat are the potential Song of the Year nominees?
Ahead of the nominations announcement today, here’s a quick rundown of the contenders that will be vying for a Song of the Year nod.
Doechii’s viral hit “Anxiety”, for starters, which she re-recorded this year after originally releasing it on YouTube in 2019. Also “The Subway” by last year’s Best New Artist, Chappell Roan, which debuted at No 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 (her highest-charting single in the US). Bad Bunny’s “Baile Inolvidable” (”Unforgettable Dance”), which pays homage to his Puerto Rican heritage, and Alex Warren’s inescapable anthem “Ordinary”. Bruno Mars, a favourite of the Recording Academy, is likely to get a nod with Rose for their collaboration “Apt”, while Sabrina Carpenter feels like a dead cert with her single “Manchild”.
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 13:02
How can I watch the Grammy nominations and when is the ceremony?
Fans can watch the announcement via video livestream on the Grammys website and the Recording Academy’s YouTube from Friday (7 November) at 8am PT/11am ET/4pm GMT.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on 1 February at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles and be broadcast live from CBS and Paramount+.
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 12:45
Lola Young: I’m Only F***ing Myself review – Facing down her monsters in typically bold and blatant style
Fellow Brit pop singer Lola Young is also a favourite for Best New Artist – Helen Brown was a big fan of her album I’m Only F***ing Myself, released in September.
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 12:33
Olivia Dean review, The Art of Loving: De-complicating and de-escalating romance with playful generosity
We’re hoping that Olivia Dean is about to be nominated for Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammy Awards… here’s Helen Brown’s review of her recent album, ‘The Art of Loving’
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 12:16
VIDEO: Taylor Swift arriving at the 2025 Grammy AwardsTaylor Swift arrives at 2025 Grammy Awards in Cheif’s red
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 11:47
These were the 2025 Grammy winners in full
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 11:37
Putting in an early call for 2027’s AOTY
My Album of the Year for 2025 (but not eligible until the 2027 Grammys) is Rosalia’s Lux. Absolutely phenomenal record. Here’s my review:
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 11:21
VIDEO: Benson Boone performs at 2025 Grammy AwardsBenson Boone performs at 2025 Grammy Awards
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 11:00
COMMENT: From Beyoncé to Kendrick, the 2025 Grammy Awards were one long apology to snubbed artists
‘The Grammys had quite a bit to be sorry about when it came to recognising and celebrating diversity. In 2025, they decided to make up with the best artists in the world before it was too late.’
Read Hannah Ewens’ thoughts on this year’s Grammys ceremony:
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 10:39
What’s changed about the Grammys this year?
A few things, actually! We have a brand new category, for Best Album Cover, which you know Sabrina Carpenter has her eye on after the stir she caused with Man’s Best Friend. The cover of her seventh record shows her kneeling on the ground in a dog-like pose, while an unseen person grips her by the hair.
There’s also a change to the Best Country Album category after an even bigger fuss over Beyonce’s historic win of Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys, for Cowboy Carter.
The country album category has now been split in two, so there’s an award for Best Traditional Country Album, and another for Best Contemporary Country Album. Go figure.
Roisin O’Connor7 November 2025 10:23