The Recording Academy has unveiled two new award categories ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
The Academy said the additions underscore its ongoing commitment to celebrating diverse artistic expression and acknowledging the evolving ways music is created, presented and experienced.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 1, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will air live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
Recording Academy Chief Executive Officer Harvey Mason Jr. said the organisation remains dedicated to recognising creativity on a global scale.
“Music knows no borders, and neither does our commitment to those who make music,” Mason Jr. said. “Building on 25 years of success with the Latin Grammys, we are adding even more members from outside the United States and expanding Grammy categories.”
In the lead-up to the awards, the Academy will host a week-long series of events celebrating the music community and this year’s nominees, including programmes organised by the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective (BMC).
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As part of these celebrations, the BMC will present the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors on January 29, 2026, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The event will recognise the careers of music icons Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin.
“Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft,” Mason Jr. said. “Each has built a legacy that transcends genre, defies convention and shapes culture. Their artistry continues to inspire generations of artists around the world, and I’m thrilled to join the Black Music Collective in honoring their immeasurable contributions to the industry.”