Honestly, it feels like the music world never really sleeps, but the countdown for the industry’s biggest night is officially on. If you've been wondering when are this year's grammy awards, you aren't alone. People are already debating who got snubbed and who is going to sweep.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Mark it.
The ceremony is heading back to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This venue has basically become the Grammys' second home at this point. If you’re planning to watch live, the telecast starts at 8:00 p.m. ET (which is 5:00 p.m. PT for the West Coast folks) and usually wraps up around 11:30 p.m. ET. Though, let's be real, these shows almost always run a little over when the speeches get emotional.
Why February 1st is a Big Deal This Year
It isn't just another awards date. This specific broadcast is actually a bit of a "period at the end of a sentence" for the Recording Academy. For the last 50-plus years—since 1973, to be exact—CBS has been the home of the Grammys.
This year is the finale.
📖 Related: Alfonso Cuarón: Why the Harry Potter 3 Director Changed the Wizarding World Forever
After the 2026 show, the whole production moves over to Disney platforms (ABC, Hulu, Disney+) under a massive 10-year deal. So, expect CBS to go all out for their "swan song" broadcast. There’s a certain nostalgia hanging over the production meetings this time around.
Also, Trevor Noah is back.
He’s hosting for the sixth consecutive time, which is a massive streak. But here is the kicker: he has already confirmed this is his final time as the master of ceremonies. He’s been the steady hand through the pandemic years and the transition back to full-capacity crowds. Losing him after this year is going to leave a pretty big hole in the show’s vibe next year.
How to Watch the 2026 Grammys Without a Cable Box
Most people don't have a traditional cord anymore. You've got options.
- CBS: The old-school way. Antenna or cable.
- Paramount+: You can stream it live here, but usually, you need the "with SHOWTIME" tier to get the live local CBS feed.
- Live TV Streamers: Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV will all carry it.
If you’re a real music nerd, don't forget the Grammy Premiere Ceremony. That happens earlier in the afternoon on the same day. That’s where they hand out like 70+ awards that don't make the main TV cut—things like Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package and most of the classical categories. It usually streams live on the Grammy website and YouTube.
👉 See also: Why the Cast of Hold Your Breath 2024 Makes This Dust Bowl Horror Actually Work
Who Is Leading the Pack?
When we look at the actual art being honored, the eligibility window for this year was September 1, 2024, to August 30, 2025. That means some of the biggest hits of the recent winter and summer are the ones fighting for space.
Kendrick Lamar is the king of the mountain this year with nine nominations. His "GNX" era and the absolute cultural earthquake of his recent singles have put him in a position to finally take home the "Big Three" (Album, Record, and Song of the Year) in a way he hasn't before.
Then you have the pop heavyweights. Lady Gaga and Sabrina Carpenter are everywhere. Gaga’s "Abracadabra" and Sabrina’s "Manchild" are basically locked in a cage match for Record of the Year. It’s also a huge year for international crossover, with the Rosé and Bruno Mars collab "APT." picking up massive momentum.
A Quick Look at the Big Nominees:
- Kendrick Lamar: 9 nominations
- Lady Gaga: 7 nominations
- Sabrina Carpenter: 7 nominations
- Bad Bunny: Heavy presence in the General Field and Latin categories
- SZA: Continuing her dominance with key collaborations
What Most People Get Wrong About the Voting
There is a common misconception that "the Grammys" is just a room of 10 old guys in suits deciding who wins. That’s not how it works anymore. Following years of criticism about transparency, the Recording Academy has radically diversified its voting body.
This year’s winners are being decided by over 13,000 voting members. These are active music professionals—singers, songwriters, producers, and engineers. To keep things fair, the 2026 ballots were presented in randomized order for the first time ever. Usually, they were alphabetical, which some argued gave an unfair advantage to artists whose names started with A or B.
✨ Don't miss: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
Basically, the Academy is trying really hard to prove they are "with it."
New Categories to Watch For
The Grammys love to tweak the rules. For the 68th awards, they’ve introduced two new spots: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
They also renamed Best Country Album to Best Contemporary Country Album. Why? Because the genre is splitting in two. You have the "stadium country" sound of people like Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll, and then you have the traditionalists. By splitting the categories, the Academy is trying to make sure the "Old Nashville" sound doesn't get steamrolled by pop-country radio hits.
What You Should Do Next
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before February 1st, there are a few things you can actually do rather than just waiting for the red carpet:
- Listen to the "Best New Artist" Shortlist: This is always the most "discoverable" category. Check out Doechii and Chappell Roan if you haven't yet; they are the frontrunners for a reason.
- Check the Technical Credits: If you’re a gear head, look at the Producer of the Year nominees like Jack Antonoff or Cirkut. Their fingerprints are on almost every song in the Top 40.
- Set a Reminder for Jan 30th: Usually, the "MusiCares Person of the Year" gala happens a couple of days before the main show. This year is honoring Jon Bon Jovi, and the performances there often leak or provide a preview of the main stage energy.
The 2026 Grammys are shaping up to be a weird, transitional, but highly competitive night. Between Kendrick’s potential sweep and Trevor Noah’s final goodbye, there’s plenty of reason to clear your schedule for that first Sunday in February.