2026 Grammy Awards To Introduce 'Best Traditional Country Album' Award
"These are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognised," said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.
Grammy Award (Source: Supplied)
Two new categories have been introduced ahead of the 2026 Grammy Awards: Best Album Art and Best Traditional Country Album. With the addition of Best Traditional Country Album, the Best Country Album category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album.
According to a news post on the Grammy website, the updates to the award categories reflect “Academy member-submitted proposals and the Recording Academy’s ongoing commitment” to evolve with the times and changing musical landscapes.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, 1 February, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for next year’s awards will be announced on Friday, 6 November 2025.
In a statement, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. revealed that the changes have occurred as a result of representing “the music people that we serve”.
“That entails listening carefully to our members to make sure our rules and guidelines reflect today’s music and allow us to accurately recognise as many deserving creators as possible,” Mason Jr. said. “As we kick off another exciting GRAMMY Season, we look forward to celebrating the amazing power of music and its ability to bring so many people together.”
In an interview posted on Grammy.com, Mason Jr. elaborated on the Academy’s position regarding the introduction of new awards, saying that each year, the Academy is focused on “refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way.”
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Mason Jr. added, “These are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognised and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music’s Biggest Night.”
At this year’s Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album with her country-inspired album, Cowboy Carter. Best Country Song went to Kacey Musgraves’ The Architect, Best Country Duo/Group Performance to Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus for II Most Wanted, and Best Country Solo Performance to Chris Stapleton for It Takes A Woman. Meanwhile, Sierra Ferrell dominated the American Roots and Americana categories.
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