iHeartMedia and FOX Entertainment Unveil Nominees for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards
On January 8, 2026, iHeartMedia, Inc. and FOX Entertainment officially announced the nominees for the highly anticipated 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The star-studded event is set to air live from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET (with a tape delay for PT). This awards ceremony not only celebrates the most-played artists and songs of 2025 on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app, but also offers a sneak peek into the upcoming musical hits of 2026.
1. A Celebration of Music and Fans
The 13th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards aims to honor both the fans and the artists, featuring award presentations across various categories, live performances from leading artists, surprise guests, and exclusive collaborations. John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises, and Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer of iHeartMedia, emphasized the show's dedication to fans, stating, “This is an annual awards show made exclusively for fans, celebrating the biggest songs and artists they’ve loved listening to on iHeartRadio stations and our iHeartRadio app all year long.”
Nominees and Voting
The nominees for the 2026 awards include a diverse array of artists, with several emerging as strong contenders. Notable nominees include:
- Bad Bunny
- Taylor Swift
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Morgan Wallen
Fans will have the opportunity to shape the outcome through social voting, which opens today and will close on March 19 at 11:59 PM PT. Categories available for fan voting include Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite TikTok Dance, and Favorite K-pop Collaboration, among others. Fans can cast their votes at iHeartRadio.com/awards.
2. Key Award Categories and Nominees
The awards showcase a wide range of categories, reflecting the vibrant music landscape across genres. Here are some notable categories and their nominees:
Song of the Year
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “Good News” – Shaboozey
- “Love Somebody” – Morgan Wallen
- “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Taylor Swift
- Kendrick Lamar
- Chris Brown
- Jelly Roll
Best New Artist (Pop)
- Alex Warren
- Jessie Murph
- Myles Smith
- Ravyn Lenae
- sombr
Best Collaboration
- “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
- “BORN AGAIN” – LISA feat. Doja Cat & RAYE
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
- Cardi B
- GloRilla
- Kendrick Lamar
- Tyler, The Creator
The awards will also feature categories dedicated to genres such as Country, Rock, Dance, R&B, Latin Pop/Urban, and K-pop, ensuring a comprehensive celebration of musical talent.
3. The Importance of the iHeartRadio Music Awards
Since its inception in 2014, the iHeartRadio Music Awards has become a significant event in the music industry calendar, highlighting the most influential artists and songs of the year. Last year’s awards honored prominent figures such as Benson Boone, who took home the award for Song of the Year, and Taylor Swift, who was recognized as Artist of the Year.
This year’s ceremony promises to continue that legacy, with a lineup of exciting performances and tributes to the winners’ journeys to success.
Conclusion
As the music industry gears up for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the anticipation builds around the nominees and the unique fan engagement opportunities. With a commitment to celebrating both artists and listeners, this year’s event is poised to be a memorable showcase of musical talent and passion. For more updates and exclusive content related to the awards, fans are encouraged to visit iHeartRadio.com/awards and engage on social media platforms.
