The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are set to captivate audiences with a spectacular showcase of musical talent, bringing together the industry's most prominent figures for an unforgettable night. This guide offers a complete overview of the upcoming event, detailing when and where to watch, who will be steering the show, the array of artists scheduled to perform, and the leading nominees vying for prestigious accolades. From new award categories to pre-show festivities, every aspect of this year's Grammys is covered.
This year's Grammy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The main ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS, commencing at 8 p.m. ET. For those who prefer streaming, Paramount+ Premium subscribers can access a live feed through their local CBS affiliate. Paramount+ Essential users will have on-demand access to the full show starting the day after the live broadcast in the U.S.
A pre-show premiere ceremony will precede the main event on Sunday, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET. This segment will feature the presentation of several awards and can be streamed live via live.Grammy.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel. Darren Criss, a first-time nominee in the Best Musical Theater Album category, will host this preliminary event and will also perform alongside his costar Helen J. Shen. Additional performances are expected from nominees Zara Larsson, Spiritbox, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, with an opening ensemble act including Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty.
Comedian Trevor Noah will return to host the Grammy Awards for his sixth and final time. Initially hesitant to host again after five successful years, Noah was reportedly persuaded by executive producer Ben Winston, who emphasized the exceptional lineup for this year's show. Winston described Noah as a genuine "music fan" whose enthusiasm for the event makes him an ideal host, ensuring an engaging and memorable experience for viewers.
The roster of performers for the 2026 Grammys includes a diverse mix of past winners, emerging artists, and contenders for this year's Best New Artist award. Confirmed performers include musical icons such as Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Pharrell Williams, Justin Bieber, and Clipse. A special collaborative performance is also planned, featuring all eight Best New Artist nominees: Addison Rae, Alex Warren, Katseye, Leon Thomas, Lola Young, Olivia Dean, Sombr, and The Marías. The annual In Memoriam segment will pay tribute to artists who have passed, with performances by Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark, Lukas Nelson, Lauryn Hill, Post Malone, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Duff McKagan, and Slash.
Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations for the 2026 Grammys with an impressive nine nods, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. Other significant nominees include Lady Gaga with seven nominations, and Sabrina Carpenter, Leon Thomas, and Bad Bunny each with six. Bad Bunny has also achieved a historic milestone as the first Spanish-language artist to receive nominations in all three major categories—Album, Record, and Song of the Year—in the same year.
This year's ceremony also marks the introduction of two new award categories. The inaugural Best Album Cover award will celebrate outstanding album artwork, with nominees including 'Chromakopia' (Tyler, the Creator), 'Debí Tirar Más Fotos' (Bad Bunny), 'The Crux' (Djo), 'Glory' (Perfume Genius), and 'Moisturizer' (Wet Leg). Additionally, the new Best Traditional Country Album category features nominees such as 'Dollar a Day' (Charley Crockett), 'American Romance' (Lukas Nelson), 'Oh What a Beautiful World' (Willie Nelson), 'Hard Headed Woman' (Margo Price), and 'Ain't in It for My Health' (Zach Top). For a complete list of all the nominated artists and their works, viewers are encouraged to consult the official Grammy nominations.
Before the main awards show, fans can immerse themselves in the glamour of the red carpet. E! will offer extensive coverage with two dedicated specials: 'E! Countdown to the Red Carpet' and 'E! Live from the Red Carpet'. The 'Countdown' show kicks off at 4 p.m. ET, followed by 'E! Live from the Red Carpet' at 6 p.m. ET, providing a sneak peek at the fashion and excitement as artists arrive for music's biggest night.
