Grammy Awards 2026: A Return to Musical Celebration After Wildfire Relief Focus
The 68th annual Grammy Awards, scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026, promises a dramatically different atmosphere compared to the previous year. In 2025, the prestigious award ceremony was completely reimagined and refocused to support relief efforts following the devastating wildfires that impacted the Los Angeles area. That edition shifted its spotlight from entertainment to humanitarian aid, reflecting a somber tone in response to the community crisis.
2026 Grammys Refocus on Music with Star-Studded Lineup
This year, the focus has firmly returned to celebrating musical excellence, setting the stage for an electrifying night of competition and performances. Leading the nominations is hip-hop icon Kendrick Lamar with an impressive nine nods, positioning him as a frontrunner for multiple awards. He is closely followed by pop superstar Lady Gaga, producer Jack Antonoff, and Canadian record producer/songwriter Cirkut, each garnering seven nominations.
Other notable nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas, and Serban Ghenea, all boasting six nominations each. Artists with five nominations encompass Andrew Watt, Clipse, Doechii, Sounwave, SZA, Turnstile, and Tyler, the Creator, highlighting a diverse and competitive field across genres.
How to Watch the 2026 Grammy Awards
The main Grammy Awards ceremony will air live on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on February 1. For cord-cutters, the show can be accessed through various live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, such as:
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
- FuboTV
Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will have the ability to stream the Grammys live, while Paramount+ essential subscribers can access the ceremony on-demand the following day.
Ahead of the main event, the premiere ceremony will take place at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (12:30 p.m. Pacific Time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This segment can be streamed live on the Recording Academy's YouTube channel and on live.GRAMMY.com.
For fashion enthusiasts, The Associated Press will stream a comprehensive four-hour red carpet show featuring exclusive interviews and fashion footage. This pre-show coverage will be available on YouTube and APNews.com prior to the Grammys broadcast on Sunday.
Star-Studded Presenters and Performers Lineup
The 2026 Grammys will feature an array of celebrity presenters, including Doechii, Harry Styles, Carole King, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, Jeff Goldblum, Karol G, Lainey Wilson, Marcello Hernandez, Nikki Glaser, Q-Tip, Queen Latifah, and Teyana Taylor.
The performance roster is equally impressive, with confirmed acts including:
- Justin Bieber
- Clipse
- Pharrell Williams
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Bruno Mars
- Rose
- Tyler, the Creator
- Lady Gaga
Additionally, all eight nominees for Best New Artist—Leon Thomas, Olivia Dean, global girl group Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Alex Warren, and Lola Young—are set to take the stage in a special segment.
Special Tributes and Memorial Segments
The ceremony will include poignant musical tributes and memorial performances. Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark, and Lukas Nelson will perform during the in memoriam segment, honoring artists and industry figures who passed away.
Ms. Lauryn Hill will pay a special tribute to legendary musicians D'Angelo and Roberta Flack, celebrating their enduring legacies. Furthermore, Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash will come together to honor rock icon Ozzy Osbourne in a powerful performance.
Trevor Noah's Final Hosting Stint and Historical Potential
Comedian and television host Trevor Noah will helm the Grammy Awards for a sixth and final year, bringing his signature wit and charm to the proceedings. His departure marks the end of an era, adding an emotional layer to the evening. With such a concentrated gathering of musical talent, history could indeed be made as artists compete for the highest honors in the industry.
The event will be held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, returning to its traditional glamorous setting after the previous year's somber tone. This shift underscores the entertainment industry's resilience and its renewed commitment to celebrating artistic achievement in 2026.
