So, you're probably sitting there with your remote or phone, wondering is the Grammys on right now? Maybe you saw a clip of Sabrina Carpenter or Lady Gaga on your feed and panicked that you missed the red carpet. Relax. You haven't missed the big night yet.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are actually scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Right now, we are in that weird "calm before the storm" period. Final voting just wrapped up on January 5, and the industry is currently holding its breath. We are basically in the two-week countdown. If you're seeing people talk about the Grammys today, it's likely because of the host announcement or the heated debates over who got snubbed in the nominations.
When to Actually Tune In
If you want to catch the show live, mark your calendar for February 1. The main telecast kicks off at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. It’s happening at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, which has basically become the permanent home for this thing.
Don't forget the Premiere Ceremony. That's the daytime event where they hand out about 70 or 80 of the 95 categories that aren't "glitzy" enough for prime time. That usually starts around 12:30 PM PT on the same day. If you care about Best Immersive Audio Album or Best Regional Roots Music Album, that's your window.
Trevor Noah’s Final Bow
The biggest news right now? Trevor Noah is back. This will be his sixth time hosting, but he’s already called it his "final" stint. Honestly, it makes sense. He's been the steady hand through the pandemic years and the transition back to big arenas. He’s also an executive producer this year, so expect his fingerprints to be all over the pacing and the jokes.
There’s a bit of a "end of an era" vibe to this year's show. Not only is Trevor leaving, but this is the last year the Grammys will air on CBS. After a decade-long run, the whole production is moving to ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ starting in 2027. So, if you’re used to just flipping to your local CBS station, enjoy it while it lasts.
Who Is Dominating the Conversation?
The nominations list is pretty wild this year. Kendrick Lamar is the heavyweight in the room with nine nominations, mostly thanks to GNX and his massive cultural moment with "luther" featuring SZA.
Then you have the pop icons. Lady Gaga is sitting pretty with seven nods for MAYHEM and her track "Abracadabra." Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter are right behind her with six each.
It’s actually a really diverse year for the "Big Four" categories. Look at the Album of the Year race:
- Bad Bunny – DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS
- Justin Bieber – SWAG
- Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Clipse, Pusha T & Malice – Let God Sort Em Out
- Lady Gaga – MAYHEM
- Kendrick Lamar – GNX
- Leon Thomas – MUTT
- Tyler, The Creator – CHROMAKOPIA
That is a tough room. You’ve got veteran rap duos, pop princesses, and experimental R&B all fighting for the same trophy.
💡 You might also like: Boys Planet 2 Episode 1 Full Episode: The Massive Changes and Talent You Missed
How to Watch (And Not Get Fooled)
Since you asked is the Grammys on right now, you're probably looking for a stream. On February 1, the official way to watch is through CBS or Paramount+.
A quick tip: if you have "Paramount+ with Showtime," you can watch the local CBS feed live. If you only have the "Essential" plan, you usually have to wait until the next day to watch the replay.
You can also find it on:
- DirectTV Stream
- FuboTV
- Hulu + Live TV
- YouTube TV
Avoid those sketchy "live stream" links on X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook that pop up on the day of. They’re usually just phishing scams or loops of old shows.
The New Categories You’ll See
The Recording Academy is always tweaking things. This year, they added Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. They also renamed Best Country Album to Best Contemporary Country Album. It seems like they’re trying to separate the "Nashville establishment" sound from the more modern, pop-leaning country that’s been dominating the charts lately.
Another technical change: the ballots were presented to voters in a randomized order this year. Previously, it was alphabetical. It sounds like a small thing, but industry insiders think it might help lesser-known artists who used to get buried at the bottom of the list.
What’s Next?
Since the show isn't tonight, you have some time to catch up. Most people haven't actually listened to all the Album of the Year nominees in full.
Start with Kendrick Lamar’s GNX if you want to understand why he’s the favorite to sweep. Then, give Leon Thomas’s MUTT a spin—he’s the "dark horse" everyone is rooting for in the R&B and Album of the Year categories.
Check back on Friday, January 30. CBS is airing a special called Inside The 68th Annual Grammys at 8:00 PM ET. It usually gives a sneak peek at the stage design and some of the rehearsal footage, which is the best way to figure out who is actually performing before the official list drops.