Two New Categories Added for 2026 Grammy Awards Nominations

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Recording Academy will announce nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards on Friday, including two new categories, Best Album Cover and Best Traditional Country Album. This historic change is part of the Academy’s efforts to better reflect modern music trends.

The announcement follows a recent shift in focus by the Academy, emphasizing the visual aspect of music in today’s digital age. The new Best Album Cover category highlights the importance of album artwork, recognizing that visual imagery is integral to the music experience.

“In the streaming era, album covers have become increasingly significant,” said Harvey Mason Jr., Chief Executive of the Recording Academy. “We want to celebrate all aspects of music, including the artistry behind the album covers that resonate with fans.”

In addition to the new categories, the nomination livestream will feature presenters including past Grammy winners and this year’s nominees, with a diverse lineup expected to generate excitement among fans and artists alike.

Nominees are set to be revealed during a livestream event, highlighting 95 categories in total. Audience engagement is expected to be high, with viewers encouraged to join in and cheer for their favorite artists.

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on Paramount+.

As preparation continues, the Recording Academy emphasized the value of including varied voices and artistic expressions. The new categories aim to showcase talents from across genres, particularly benefiting emerging and diverse musicians in an evolving landscape.