The Grammy Awards are set for a notable update in 2026 with the Recording Academy introducing two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. These additions are aimed at expanding recognition within the music industry and honoring a broader spectrum of creativity.
In a statement on Grammy.com, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. explained that the changes stem from the Academy’s annual review of rules and categories, intended to ensure inclusivity and relevance. “We want to celebrate more creators and better reflect the evolving music landscape,” he noted.
The Best Album Cover category acknowledges the growing cultural impact of visual art in the digital age. Mason emphasized that album artwork continues to hold powerful storytelling value and the new category reflects feedback from the art director community.
The second new category, Best Traditional Country Album, arrives alongside the renaming of the current Best Country Album category to Best Contemporary Country Album. This move acknowledges both the evolution of the genre and the revival of traditional country sounds.
“These changes create more space for diverse artists shaping the future of country music,” Mason said, noting a surge in popularity of traditional country over the past decade.
The update follows a historic 2025 Grammy ceremony where Kendrick Lamar won five awards, Tems earned her second GRAMMY for Best African Music Performance, and Beyoncé took home Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter, dedicating the win to country pioneer Linda Martell.
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced on Friday, November 7, 2025.
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