The Recording Academy expanded Music’s Biggest Night with 95 Grammy categories. Two brand-new awards debut at the 68th Grammy Awards on Feb. 1, 2026. Nominees across all categories were announced on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles hosts the prestigious ceremony.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- 95 Grammy categories make 2026 the biggest year yet for nominations.
- New categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
- Ceremony airs live on CBS and streams on Paramount+ on Feb. 1, 2026.
- Presenters included Chappell Roan, Lizzo, Sabrina Carpenter, KAROL G.
- More than 3,800 new voting members joined the Recording Academy.
Grammy Awards Reach Historic Expansion with 95 Categories
The 2026 Grammy Awards marked a transformative moment for music’s biggest night. Two fresh categories expanded the voting landscape. Best Traditional Country Album honors roots and heritage in country music. Best Album Cover celebrates the visual artistry defining how fans experience recordings.
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Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. championed these changes with conviction. “The Academy’s top priority is representing the music people we serve each year,” he stated. Mason emphasized that these updates reflect evolving musical landscapes and deserve recognition on this stage.
“Each year during our Awards & Nominations review, our focus is on refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way.”
The Best Album Cover category recognizes excellence across all genres. It honors art directors whose craft shapes a record’s story. Best Country Album was renamed Best Contemporary Country Album to distinguish modern approaches. This division acknowledges country’s rich diversity and ongoing cultural evolution.
2026 Grammy Awards Key Timeline and Voting Changes
The Recording Academy implemented significant structural updates for the 68th Grammy cycle. First Round Voting took place from Oct. 3-15, 2025. Nominees were revealed on Nov. 7, 2025 during a star-studded livestream event.
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Aug. 31, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2025 | Product Eligibility Period |
| Oct. 3-15, 2025 | First Round Voting |
| Nov. 7, 2025 | Nominees Announced |
| Dec. 12, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026 | Final Round Voting |
| Feb. 1, 2026 | 68th Grammy Awards Ceremony |
Final Round Voting runs from Dec. 12, 2025 through Jan. 5, 2026. Winners will be revealed on Grammy night during the live broadcast. The Recording Academy welcomed over 3,800 new voting members ahead of this historic cycle, enhancing diversity in the voting body.
Unprecedented Recording Academy Membership Changes for 2026
The Recording Academy transformed its membership structure for broader representation. Nearly 3,800 new members joined this year’s voting class. Of these new members, 50 percent are age 39 or younger, ensuring fresh perspectives shape music’s future.
58 percent identify as People of Color, while 35 percent identify as women. For the first time ever, all Latin Recording Academy voting members received invitations to join. This groundbreaking move creates a more globally representative voting body across borders.
- 3,800+ new members strengthen the Recording Academy’s creative reach.
- 50% under age 39 bring diverse musical perspectives to voting.
- 58% People of Color reflects music’s vibrant cultural landscape.
- Latin Recording Academy members now participate fully in Grammy voting.
- Classical eligibility expanded for composers and lyricists to gain recognition.
How Will the 2026 Grammy Awards Shape Music Industry Recognition?
These expansions fundamentally reshape how the music industry celebrates achievement. Best New Artist eligibility expanded to include artists featured on Album of the Year nominees. Previously, this wasn’t possible due to strict playing time thresholds.
The Classical Field saw transformative changes as well. Composers and lyricists now qualify for Grammy recognition alongside producers, engineers, and artists. Packaging Field combined two categories into Best Recording Package for streamlined consideration. Physical products sold through artist websites now qualify, reflecting modern music distribution.
Musicians, producers, and visual artists now have unprecedented opportunities for recognition. These changes signal the Recording Academy’s commitment to honoring every role in music creation. From songwriters to art directors, the 2026 cycle celebrates contributions once overlooked on pop’s grandest stage.
