Music fans, mark your calendars: the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are set to ignite Los Angeles with star power and fan fervor on Thursday, March 26. The Dolby Theatre will be the beating heart of this spectacle, with the show airing live at 8 p.m. ET (tape-delayed for PT) on Fox, as reported by Billboard and official iHeartRadio sources. The 13th annual ceremony promises not just the usual glitz and glam but also a celebration of the artists, songs, and cultural moments that defined 2025 across iHeartRadio stations and its app.
Leading the charge this year is Taylor Swift, who has racked up an impressive nine nominations—more than anyone else on the list. Hot on her heels are Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Alex Warren, each boasting eight nominations. The full slate of contenders, released in late February, reads like a who’s-who of contemporary music. Heavyweights such as Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, Lady Gaga, BLACKPINK’s JENNIE, and KATSEYE are all in the running for major honors, ensuring that the competition will be fierce and the anticipation sky-high.
For those eager to tune in, the options are plentiful. The awards will be broadcast on Fox, but cord-cutters aren’t left out. You can stream the show via DIRECTV, Sling Blue, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV. DIRECTV’s ENTERTAINMENT package, for example, offers Fox and over 130 channels for $89.99 per month, with a five-day free trial for newcomers. Fubo also features a five-day free trial and includes free DVR, so you won’t miss a beat. Hulu + Live TV, meanwhile, bundles Fox with other major networks for $89.99 per month (with ads) or $99.99 (ad-free). Sling Blue is the most budget-friendly at $45.99 per month, though it skips the free trial. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, there’s a way to catch every moment live or on replay.
But what’s an award show without a little suspense? Specifics about the night’s performances and special appearances remain under wraps, fueling speculation and excitement. Past ceremonies have set the bar high with surprise collaborations and heartfelt speeches, and all signs point to more of the same this year, even if producers are keeping mum for now.
Voting is a cornerstone of the iHeartRadio Music Awards, and 2026 is no exception. Fan voting in select categories opened on January 8 and runs through March 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT, accessible at iHeartRadio.com/awards. This year, organizers have expanded the fan-voted slate to include 11 social categories, such as Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite K-pop Collab, and Favorite Tour Style. These new additions reflect the evolving landscape of music fandom, where viral moments and cross-genre collaborations can be just as impactful as chart-topping singles.
The list of nominees is as diverse as ever. In the coveted Song of the Year race, tracks like "Anxiety" by Doechii, "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter, "luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, "Ordinary" by Alex Warren, and "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift are all in contention. The Album of the Year category brings together juggernauts like Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, and, of course, Taylor Swift.
Other major categories include Artist of the Year (with nominees ranging from Jelly Roll and Benson Boone to Lady Gaga and Tate McRae), Pop Artist of the Year, and genre-specific honors spanning country, hip-hop, R&B, world, alternative, rock, dance, Latin pop/urban, regional Mexican, and K-pop. Notably, BLACKPINK’s JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA are all up for individual and group accolades, highlighting the global reach of K-pop in 2026.
For those who crave the details, there’s a dizzying array of categories and nominees, from Best New Artist in every genre to Songwriter and Producer of the Year. The fan-voted categories are especially lively, with social media favorites like "Gnarly" by KATSEYE and "JUMP" by BLACKPINK vying for Favorite TikTok Dance, and high-profile collaborations such as "ExtraL" by JENNIE and Doechii in the running for Favorite K-pop Collab.
But it’s not just about the music—touring and visual creativity are front and center, too. Favorite Tour Style features the likes of Bad Bunny, Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, BLACKPINK, Dua Lipa, KATSEYE, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift, and Zara Larsson. Meanwhile, the Best Music Video category includes visually stunning works from Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, LISA, KATSEYE, BLACKPINK, JENNIE, Sabrina Carpenter, Alex Warren, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards have always been more than a popularity contest—they’re a snapshot of the year in music, capturing the trends, breakthroughs, and viral moments that shaped our playlists and conversations. As iHeartRadio notes, the event is “a platform for gratitude, hope, and messages that point beyond fame itself.” That spirit is reflected in the spectrum of nominees, from chart-toppers to emerging talents, and in the fan-driven categories that celebrate the unique ways music connects people across the globe.
In the weeks leading up to the show, fans can make their voices heard by voting in the select categories. The process is simple—head over to iHeartRadio.com/awards and cast your ballots through March 19. With so many artists and genres represented, the outcome is anything but predictable. Will Taylor Swift’s nine nominations translate into a trophy haul? Can Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, or Alex Warren pull off an upset? And which viral dance or K-pop collaboration will capture the zeitgeist in 2026?
For now, all eyes are on the Dolby Theatre and the stars who’ll walk its red carpet. Whether you’re tuning in for the performances, the speeches, or just to see who takes home the gold, the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are shaping up to be an unmissable night in music. As the countdown begins, one thing’s for sure: this year’s ceremony will be a celebration of not just the artists, but also the fans who fuel the industry’s ever-changing beat.
With the stage set and the excitement building, the only question left is: who will make history at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards?