As the music industry continues to evolve, so too must the GRAMMY Awards — and the Recording Academy is once again embracing the change happening across the music community. The Academy today announced a series of impactful updates to its annual GRAMMY Awards process, including the addition of two new GRAMMY categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. All the updates and changes will go into effect immediately at the 2026 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 68th Annual GRAMMY Awards, which take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2026 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
The Recording Academy determines all new updates to the GRAMMY Awards process, including new GRAMMY Categories, through an annual process in which Academy members submit proposals for changes. These annual updates reflect the Academy's commitment to evolve with the ever-changing musical landscape. They also amplify a deeper pledge to continue to honor today's music creators — from country music icons and classical composers to the visionaries behind some of music's most unforgettable album covers.
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For Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr., these game-changing updates allow the Academy a significant opportunity to "celebrate more artists and a wider range of music," while ensuring that the "GRAMMY Awards truly reflect and honor the full spectrum of music creators."
"Evaluating our [GRAMMY Awards] rules and guidelines is a process that we undergo each year to ensure that we are protecting the integrity of the GRAMMY Awards and that we are aligned with the ever-changing music industry," Mason jr. told GRAMMY.com in an exclusive interview. "We take pride in upholding an awards process that's fair, reflective of today's musical landscape, and inclusive of the most qualified Voting Members."
To celebrate these new changes, Mason jr. offered insights into the vision behind these game-changing updates — why they matter, who they serve, and how they aim to make the GRAMMYs more inclusive and representative of today's music industry.
Make sure to watch the 2026 GRAMMYs on Sunday, Feb. 1, and see the full list of nominees announced on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.
See the full list of expansive updates and new GRAMMY Categories set to debut at the 2026 GRAMMYs. Learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process. Read our frequently asked GRAMMY questions (FAQ) section. View the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines for the 2026 GRAMMYs. And visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.
The existing Best Country Album Category has been renamed Best Contemporary Country Album. The Recording Academy is also announcing a new, exciting Best Traditional Country Album Category. What was the vision behind these two major changes in the Country Field? And why the decision to split this Country Category into two?
Country music has evolved in a major way over the past decade, with traditional country experiencing a massive resurgence, growing in popularity and volume. Traditional country has a timeless, distinct sound that's inspired generations of musicians throughout the years. It's an important part of the country music story and deserves to be celebrated and recognized with intention.
What is your hope with such significant changes in the Country Field? How will these changes benefit the country music community?
This action by our members now opens the door for us to celebrate more artists and a wider range of music. By adding this new Category and renaming the Country Album Category, we're creating more space for all the diverse artists who are shaping the future of country music.
Another exciting GRAMMY Category is in the mix this year: Best Album Cover. What do you hope this Category addition will achieve?
In today's digital world, album covers are arguably more impactful than ever. Chances are, there's an iconic cover that's instantly recognizable to you, even if you never owned the physical album. Their cultural significance is undeniable.
That's one of the reasons members of the art director community and our Awards & Nominations members felt this Category was necessary. The Packaging Field has always thrived, but we expect this to be one of our most inclusive Categories to date.
Several of the new changes allow for more artists and creators to be nominated and, ultimately, become GRAMMY winners. For example, in the Classical Categories, composers and lyricists/librettists are now eligible for GRAMMY recognition. Why was it important to make these changes that expand the field of GRAMMY nominees and winners? What impact will this have on the annual GRAMMY Awards moving forward?
It's so important that our rules and guidelines are fair and equitable for musicians of all crafts and varying expertise, and that the GRAMMY Awards truly reflect and honor the full spectrum of music creators. The update to Classical Categories brings lyricists/librettists and composers into alignment with how artists, producers and engineers are acknowledged across these Categories, fostering a more inclusive environment that values every creative contribution. This change underscores our commitment to celebrating excellence across the beautifully broad and diverse musical landscape each year, and highlights the vital role these creators play in the creative process.
Every year, the Recording Academy introduces changes to the GRAMMY Awards process. Sometimes the changes are small, like renaming Categories or updating categorizations or descriptions for GRAMMY Categories. And sometimes the changes are major, like introducing brand-new GRAMMY Categories. Why is it important for the Recording Academy to evaluate, examine and update the GRAMMY Awards process every year?
Evaluating our rules and guidelines is a process that we undergo each year to ensure that we are protecting the integrity of the GRAMMY Awards and that we are aligned with the ever-changing music industry. We take pride in upholding an awards process that's fair, reflective of today's musical landscape, and inclusive of the most qualified Voting Members.
During our annual Awards & Nominations review, we work in lockstep with our members who serve on our Awards & Nominations committee to carefully consider potential gaps or inconsistencies in the GRAMMY Awards process and put safeguards in place to protect its integrity. We also take a close look at anything that feels too restrictive and consider whether it needs to be revised or removed. We also evaluate new Category proposals submitted by our members.
As stewards of this process on behalf of the music community, we intently listen to feedback from artists. It's the foundation of how our processes evolve. Because this is a peer-driven system, we rely on music professionals to get involved and lead the discussion on what changes need to happen and why. Their involvement ensures the process continues to improve and upholds the high standards our community expects.
Several of the new changes have revised GRAMMY Category definitions, eligibility and criteria to be more expansive and inclusive. Why was this a focus for the Recording Academy this year?
Each year during our Awards & Nominations review, our focus is on refining our rules, uncovering anything that is no longer working, and ensuring we are celebrating our creative community in the most meaningful way. I'm thrilled that many of this year's changes, including new Category additions and expanded recognition of more crafts in the Classical categories, allow us to honor even more creators. That's always a positive outcome for me. But even more importantly, these are much-needed updates that ensure those who are making significant contributions to the musical process are properly recognized and have the opportunity to be celebrated on Music's Biggest Night.
While we're several months away from Music's Biggest Night, what are you most excited about for the upcoming GRAMMY season (aka, the 68th GRAMMY Awards)?
I am absolutely blown away by the music that's been released so far in this eligibility period, and we still have a few months to go! I'm excited to see what else emerges and, come nominations time in November, what resonates most with our Voting Members. For me, GRAMMY season is the most magical time of the year. I'm always inspired by the talent reflected in the nomination pool and the impact this recognition can have on artists' careers.