Everything You Need to Know About the 68th Grammy Awards
Music’s Biggest Night Returns to Celebrate Another Remarkable Year
The 68th Grammy Awards are right around the corner, ready to honor the extraordinary musical achievements that have defined the past year. From viral sensations that took over TikTok to groundbreaking artists who refused to be confined by traditional genre boundaries, this year’s ceremony promises to celebrate the diverse tapestry of sounds that have shaped our cultural landscape. The awards show will recognize everything from chart-topping pop anthems to innovative experimental works, reflecting how music continues to evolve and surprise us in unexpected ways. Whether it’s songs that sparked important conversations, tracks that became the soundtrack to our daily lives, or albums that pushed creative boundaries, the 2026 Grammys will showcase the best of what the music industry has offered over the past twelve months.
This year’s ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 1st, at the iconic Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, maintaining the tradition of hosting music’s most prestigious night in the entertainment capital of the world. For those planning to watch from home, CBS will broadcast the main ceremony from 8:00 to 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (5:00 to 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time), ensuring that music fans across the country can tune in simultaneously to witness history being made. Additionally, the ceremony will be available for streaming on Paramount+, providing flexibility for viewers who prefer to watch on their preferred devices or who might want to catch up on moments they missed during the live broadcast.
Pre-Show Events and Special Ceremonies Set the Stage
Before the main telecast begins, music enthusiasts will have plenty of content to enjoy throughout the day. The Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, where the majority of the Grammy Awards are actually announced, will be held at the Peacock Theater starting at 12:30 p.m. Pacific Time (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day. This important ceremony gives recognition to numerous categories that don’t make it into the televised portion of the show but are equally significant in honoring musical excellence across various genres and technical achievements. First-time Grammy nominee Darren Criss will host this ceremony and also deliver a performance, marking a special moment in his career as he transitions from nominee to host.
The Premiere Ceremony boasts an impressive lineup of performers, including Zara Larsson, Spiritbox, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, ensuring that the pre-show is just as entertaining as the main event. The Recording Academy has also announced that the ceremony will feature an exciting opening number featuring Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty, setting an energetic tone for the afternoon’s proceedings. The ceremony will also feature an impressive roster of presenters, including Dave Koz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Edgar Barrera, Jesse Welles, Sierra Hull, Trombone Shorty, and the legendary producer Jimmy Jam. For those who want to catch every moment, the Premiere Ceremony will be streamed live at live.GRAMMY.com and on the Recording Academy’s official YouTube channel, making it accessible to viewers worldwide.
Before the awards begin, fans can enjoy comprehensive red carpet coverage through the official pre-show, “GRAMMY Live From The Red Carpet,” which will feature exclusive interviews with nominees and provide first looks at the fashion moments that always generate buzz on social media. “Good Morning America” will also be covering all the red carpet glamour on TikTok and Instagram, ensuring that fans who prefer to follow along on social media platforms won’t miss any of the stunning arrivals and candid moments that happen before the show officially begins.
Trevor Noah Returns as Host While New Categories Debut
Emmy Award-winning comedian and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah will be returning to host the Grammys for the sixth and final time, bringing his signature wit and charm to music’s biggest night one last time. Noah has become synonymous with the modern era of the Grammys, and his final appearance as host promises to be memorable. This year, he’s not just hosting but also serving as an executive producer of the ceremony, giving him an even greater role in shaping how the show unfolds and ensuring that it strikes the right balance between celebration, entertainment, and meaningful recognition of artistic achievement.
This year’s ceremony introduces two exciting new categories that reflect the evolving landscape of the music industry: best traditional country album and best album cover. The best traditional country album category showcases nominees including “Dollar A Day” by Charley Crockett, “American Romance” by Lukas Nelson, “Oh What A Beautiful World” by Willie Nelson, “Hard Headed Woman” by Margo Price, and “Ain’t In It For My Health” by Zach Top. This new category acknowledges the importance of preserving and honoring the traditional sounds of country music while the genre continues to expand and incorporate new influences. Meanwhile, the best album cover category recognizes the visual artistry that accompanies music, with nominees including Tyler, The Creator’s “Chromakopia,” Djo’s “The Crux,” Bad Bunny’s “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Perfume Genius’ “Glory,” and Wet Leg’s “moisturizer” albums, highlighting how album artwork remains an essential part of the complete artistic package in the digital age.
Star-Studded Performances and Heartfelt Tributes
The performance lineup for the 68th Grammy Awards is nothing short of spectacular, featuring both established superstars and exciting new talent. Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga, both of whom are nominated for awards this year, will take the stage, promising unforgettable performances from two of music’s most dynamic entertainers. The show will also spotlight several best new artist nominees, including Addison Rae, KATSEYE, Olivia Dean, Alex Warren, Leon Thomas, The Marías, and sombr, giving these rising stars an opportunity to introduce themselves to a massive global audience and potentially launch their careers to new heights. Additionally, hip-hop duo Clipse will perform alongside Pharrell Williams, while Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter have also been announced as performers, ensuring a diverse range of musical styles throughout the evening.
The ceremony will include several special tribute performances that honor both those we’ve lost and those who have made indelible contributions to music. During a special “In Memoriam” segment, country music legend Reba McEntire, along with Brandy Clark and Lukas Nelson, will pay tribute to the artists and industry figures who passed away over the past year. Lauryn Hill will also take the stage to honor the incomparable talents of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, celebrating their lasting impact on music. In another special tribute, Post Malone will join forces with Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash to honor heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, bringing together rock legends to celebrate one of the genre’s most influential figures.
The ceremony will also feature an impressive roster of presenters who will help announce the winners throughout the night. Grammy winners Harry Styles and Doechii were among the first presenters announced during a virtual press conference on January 26th. Additional presenters revealed on January 29th include music legends and contemporary stars such as Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Jeff Goldblum, Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernández, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and Teyana Taylor. The Recording Academy has also teased that a surprise guest will take the stage to present an award, adding an element of mystery and anticipation to the proceedings.
The Nominees: Who’s Leading the Pack
When it comes to nominations, Kendrick Lamar stands at the front of the pack with an impressive nine nominations, solidifying his position as one of the most respected and critically acclaimed artists of his generation. Following closely behind, Lady Gaga, producer Cirkut, and Jack Antonoff each earned seven nominations, showcasing the incredible work they’ve produced over the past year. Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, Sabrina Carpenter, and Serban Ghenea round out the list of top nominees with six nominations each, demonstrating the wide range of talent being recognized across different genres and musical styles. These nominations reflect not only commercial success but also artistic innovation and the ability to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
The diversity of this year’s nominees speaks to the Grammy Awards’ ongoing effort to recognize excellence across the entire spectrum of musical expression, from mainstream pop to underground experimental music, from traditional country to cutting-edge hip-hop, and from established legends to breakthrough new artists. The nominations celebrate both the artists who create the music and the behind-the-scenes professionals—producers, engineers, songwriters, and visual artists—whose contributions are essential to bringing that music to life. As always, the Grammy nominations spark conversations about artistic merit, industry trends, and the ever-evolving definition of what makes great music.
Looking Back and Looking Forward
Last year’s Grammy Awards saw Kendrick Lamar dominate the ceremony, taking home the coveted Golden Gramophone for record of the year and song of the year for his powerful track “Not Like Us,” which resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike. Chappell Roan captured the best new artist award, marking her arrival as a major force in contemporary music, while Beyoncé won album of the year for “COWBOY CARTER,” adding yet another milestone to her already legendary career. These wins reflected the Recording Academy’s recognition of artistic excellence, cultural impact, and the ability to push creative boundaries while maintaining widespread appeal.
As we approach the 68th Grammy Awards, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be another memorable celebration of musical achievement. With its combination of established superstars, exciting newcomers, heartfelt tributes, and spectacular performances, this year’s ceremony will once again remind us why music remains such a powerful force in our lives. Whether you’re a casual listener or a devoted music fan, the 2026 Grammys offer something for everyone—a chance to celebrate the artists who soundtrack our lives, discover new talent that will shape the future of music, and witness moments of genuine emotion and artistic brilliance that can only happen when the music community comes together to honor its own.
