Grammy: in 2026 new categories and new rules

Grammy: in 2026 new categories and new rules

ByJohn

For the edition of Grammy Awards of 2026, Recording Academy has published the new updated regulation with some changes who impact both the prize categories both the criteria of admissibility For the “Best New Artist” category.

Among the main changes there is the Subdivision of the “Best Country Album” category in two distinct prizes: The original category will now be called “Best Contemporary Country Album”, while a new category has been created called “Best Traditional Country Album”. This novelty comes after the victory of Beyoncéwhich last February won – among other prizes – the Grammy as “Best Country Album“Thanks to the” Cowboy Carter “album (here our review).

In addition, for reorganization in the packaging sector, the new category “Best Album Cover“And a future of the” Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package “category has been implemented with the” Best Recording Package “category. Furthermore,, The albums sold directly to the fans will now be eligible for the Grammy related to the packaging.

Another novelty concerns theexpansion of eligibility criteria for the category “Best New Artist“. In the past, those who had contributed to candidate records such as” Album of the Year “automatically became non -eligible for the best new artist award. This rule remains in force, but with some exceptions. In 2023, in fact, the recording academy restricted the criteria for the “Album of the Year”, excluding the collaborators present in less than 20% of the disc. If a previous candidacy for “Album of the Year” would not have been valid according to these more restrictive criteria, now He would return to be eligible for the “Best New Artist” category.

According to what was declared by Harvey Mason Jr. in a press release, The changes are the result of the careful listening of the members of the recording academywith the aim of making rules and guidelines reflect today’s music.

The next Grammy Awards will be held Sunday 1 February 2026. Candidates will be announced Friday 7 November 2025.

John
John

With an untamed passion and deep, eclectic knowledge of music, John is the soul of RadioWise UK. Having worked in the music industry for over two decades, his vision was to create a platform that embodies the love and respect for music. John is known for his great attention to detail and insatiable thirst for discovering new talents and music genres.