GRAMMY 2026: Two new categories and more opportunities for artists

The 68th Grammy Awards will be held on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The nominees will be announced on November 7, 2025.

The Recording Academy, the organization behind the awards, has announced several updates aimed at making the ceremony more inclusive and contemporary. Among the main innovations are two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Art.

The requirements for the Best New Artist nomination have also been updated. Artists who have already appeared on albums nominated for Album of the Year can now compete for this title, provided that their contribution does not exceed 20% of the album’s total playing time. This provides newcomers with an opportunity to gain recognition in the music industry.

Country music has received more attention as a new category for traditional country was introduced by renaming the existing nomination, “Best Country Album,” to “Best Contemporary Country Album.” This will enable us to take into account the diversity of the genre and celebrate both modern experiments and classic sounds.

For the first time, an award will be presented for the visual design of albums, specifically for “Best Album Cover.” The changes will also affect physical releases: albums sold only through the official resources of artists or labels will be allowed to participate.

There will also be changes in the classical nominations: librettists and composers will now be able to be among the laureates.

Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Academy, emphasized that these changes are aimed at ensuring fairness and relevance to the modern music industry:

“We strive to ensure that the rules reflect reality and give more artists a chance for recognition. New categories, improved criteria, and expanded opportunities are our commitment to greater inclusivity and respect for everyone involved in music.”