From recognizing album cover artists to expanding Best New Artist eligibility, the Recording Academy ushers in a refreshed and inclusive vision for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Los Angeles | June 12, 2025 –
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, with nominations set to be announced on November 7, 2025.
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In a comprehensive update following its annual board meeting, the Recording Academy unveiled sweeping changes that reflect a modern, diverse, and evolving music landscape.
Major Additions and Changes:
🎨 Best Album Cover Makes Its Debut
For the first time in Grammy history, album cover artists will be recognized with a dedicated Best Album Cover category. This long-overdue honor acknowledges the crucial role visual art plays in a record’s identity.
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Additionally, the categories for Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package have been merged into a single award, streamlining packaging honors.
🛒 Eligibility Broadens for Physical Sales
Albums sold directly through artists’ or labels’ websites will now qualify for several craft categories, such as Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album. This move reflects the shift toward direct-to-fan sales and acknowledges modern distribution trends.
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🎼 Country and Classical Fields Get Refined
In the Country genre, the Best Country Album has been rebranded as Best Contemporary Country Album, while a new category—Best Traditional Country Album—has been created to honor classic styles.
In Classical music, composers, lyricists, and librettists will now be included among Grammy recipients for award-winning albums, honoring all contributors to the artistic process.
🌟 Best New Artist Definition Expanded
The Best New Artist category has expanded eligibility to include artists who were credited on previous Album of the Year nominees, provided their contribution was under 20% of the total playing time. This change opens the door for talented collaborators who were previously ineligible.
📅 Key Dates for Grammy Awards 2026:
- Product Eligibility Window: Aug 31, 2024 – Aug 30, 2025
- Media Company Registration: Jul 7 – Aug 22, 2025
- Online Entry Period: Jul 16 – Aug 29, 2025
- First Round Voting: Oct 3 – Oct 15, 2025
- Nominations Announced: Nov 7, 2025
- Final Round Voting: Dec 12, 2025 – Jan 5, 2026
- Awards Night: Feb 1, 2026
What the Academy Says:
“The Academy’s top priority is to represent the music people we serve each year,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “These updates ensure that deserving creators across all corners of the industry receive recognition.”
With these changes, the 2026 Grammys are poised to be one of the most inclusive and visually artistic editions in the history of the awards.
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