The 2026 Grammy nominations drop Friday, with stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Lady Gaga expected to headline major categories.
The biggest night in music is almost here and it all starts this Friday morning. The 2026 Grammy Awards nominations are set to be unveiled in a live-streamed event at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET.
This year’s nominees will be announced by a seriously star-studded lineup, including Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Doechii — three of the year’s biggest breakout stars. The Recording Academy will go live to share nominees across 95 categories, from Album of the Year to Best New Artist and everything in between.
Who’s Eligible (and Who’s Not)
The 2026 Grammys will celebrate the best in music released between August 31, 2024, and August 30, 2025. That means not everyone’s favorite pop releases made the cut. Sorry, Swifties — Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl,” which dropped October 3, falls outside the eligibility window. So no new Swift nominations this time around (though she’s still a Grammy legend with 14 wins).
Possible Contenders
Fans and critics are already placing bets on who might dominate this year’s race. Early buzz suggests Bad Bunny could return to the top of the list with his viral album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Meanwhile, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Man’s Best Friend” is expected to make waves in both pop and song categories.
Lady Gaga’s edgy comeback project “Mayhem” might land her in multiple nominations, and Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX” is generating serious talk for Rap Album of the Year.
Categories to Watch
Some of the most anticipated Grammy categories include:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
RECORD OF THE YEAR
SONG OF THE YEAR
BEST NEW ARTIST
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
BEST RAP ALBUM
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
BEST ROCK ALBUM
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
BEST R&B ALBUM
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
With 95 categories total, the Grammys promise to celebrate every corner of the industry — from pop and hip-hop to country, R&B, and rock.
When and Where to Watch
The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place Sunday, February 1, live from Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Expect red carpet drama, surprise performances, and maybe a few viral moments that’ll have social media talking for days.
So, who do you think deserves the biggest nominations this year? Drop your predictions below — and get ready for Friday’s big reveal!
