The Grammy nominations announcement 2026 is set to take place on Friday, November 7, 2025 — a defining moment as the music industry gears up for the 68th Annual 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The nominees across all 95 categories will be revealed via livestream beginning at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET).
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What to expect on the announcement day
When the Grammy nominations are revealed on November 7, viewers in the U.S. can tune in to watch the livestream on GRAMMY.com or the official YouTube channel of the Recording Academy. Presenters scheduled to appear include marquee names such as Lizzo, Sam Smith, Karol G, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.
With the announcement livestream underway, fans and industry watchers will get their first look at the key players vying for music’s top honours this cycle. The moment marks the culmination of months of submission, vetting, and voting.
Key dates and eligibility basics
Here’s a quick overview of the timeline and eligibility rules that underpin the 2026 nomination process for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards:
📅 Timeline
- Eligibility period: Releases commercially available in the U.S. between August 31, 2024 and August 30, 2025 qualify for consideration.
- Online entry period: Already open — submissions close by August 29, 2025 at 6 p.m. PT / 9 p.m. ET.
- Nomination announcement: November 7, 2025 at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET.
- Final round voting: From December 12, 2025 through January 5, 2026.
- Awards ceremony: The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will be held Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
✅ What this means for recordings
Only works released within that eligibility window will be in contention. That means major new albums dropping after August 30, 2025 will likely compete next year, not this cycle. Artists, labels and rights-holders had to wrap up entries in the entry window if they wanted to be included in the nominations list.
What’s new this year — major changes to keep in mind
The 2026 nomination process features several important updates, reflecting evolving industry dynamics and the Academy’s efforts to broaden recognition.
🔹 New categories
- A brand-new category Best Traditional Country Album has been introduced, recognizing albums rooted in classic country instrumentation and style, such as fiddle, banjo, steel guitar and live drums.
- A separate category titled Best Album Cover has also been added to honour the visual side of music releases — design, photography, graphic art and packaging included.
🔹 Category renaming and restructuring
- The former Best Country Album category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album to distinguish more modern country recordings from those in the new traditional category.
- Adjustments to other fields: for example, Best New Artist eligibility has been refined. Artists who contributed less than 20% of an Album of the Year-nominated record may now again qualify.
🔹 Process and broader inclusion moves
- Packaged releases sold directly to fans (e.g., via artist websites) now become eligible for packaging-related awards.
- The Academy also emphasises more inclusive criteria and expanded recognition across genres.
- These changes reflect the Academy’s acknowledgment of how music consumption, distribution and packaging have evolved.
Why this year matters more than most
The 2026 Grammy nominations announcement marks a particularly dynamic turning point for the music awards landscape. Here’s why:
🎯 A more open-field race
With major names sitting out due to release timing and the new eligibility window, the competition may feel more open than in past years. That opens the door for rising artists and breakout records to gain momentum.
🎵 Broader representation
The addition of new categories and tweaks to eligibility enable more niche, roots-oriented, visual-centric and independent creators to be considered. Country purists, art directors, packaging teams, and non-mainstream artists may find fresh opportunities for recognition.
📡 The streaming and digital nuance
In an era where physical packaging is less dominant, adding category recognition for art direction (Best Album Cover) signals the Academy’s nod to visual identity in the digital age. Even when albums are consumed online, the artwork still plays a big role in brand and audience connection.
How to watch the nominations announcement
Here’s how you can stay up to date when the nominations drop:
- Head to the official livestream at live.GRAMMY.com or the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET on November 7.
- Presenters will reveal nominees category by category. Be ready for big names, surprises and industry buzz.
- Once the nominees are announced, major music publications and social media will start dissecting who is in, who is out, and what that could mean for the awards night.
- After the announcement, stay alert for the final-round voting window and build-up toward the February 1 ceremony.
What to look for in the nominations list
Once the nominations are public, here are some focal points to watch:
- The “Big Four” categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Historically, these generate the most buzz and often define the awards cycle.
- Genre shake-ups: With the inclusion of Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, watch for picks that may come from outside the usual mainstream channels.
- Breakout artists and underdogs: Artists with less established profiles may gain traction thanks to the broader eligibility and category expansion.
- Timing matters: Because the eligibility window runs to August 30, 2025, any major releases after that date will have to wait for the 2027 cycle — meaning some big names might not appear this time around.
- Visual and packaging recognition: With Best Album Cover now a category, keep an eye on albums whose artwork, design or packaging stands out (including digital releases).
What this nomination season means for artists and fans
For artists and their teams, nomination season is not just about awards — it’s about recognition, momentum, promotion and career visibility.
- A nomination can lead to spikes in streaming, sales, media attention and touring interest.
- For emerging artists especially, being on the nominations list can open doors for collaborations, festivals and broader exposure.
- For fans, the announcement day is a chance to celebrate favourite artists, track surprises, rejoice in nominations and debate snubs. It drives engagement and reveals the direction in which the music industry is moving.
Final thoughts
With the 2026 Grammy nominations announcement 2026 approaching, the music world is poised for a fresh chapter filled with new categories, broader representation and potentially groundbreaking nominees. Whether you’re an industry insider, a passionate fan or simply a music lover staying tuned — this announcement day marks the full-start of the 2026 season.
If you’re excited about possible nominees or already rooting for your favourites, drop a comment below and let’s see who you think will shine this year!