The 2026 Grammy Awards are set to feature a significant pre-show event, the Premiere Ceremony, designed to honor a wide spectrum of musical achievements before the main televised broadcast. This segment is crucial for recognizing numerous categories and showcasing diverse artistic performances, providing a comprehensive start to the annual celebration of music.
Scheduled to commence at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT, the 2026 Premiere Ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This non-televised event, hosted by first-time Grammy nominee Darren Criss, will award dozens of accolades. Music enthusiasts globally can stream the ceremony live on the Recording Academy’s official YouTube channel and through live.GRAMMY.com, ensuring accessibility for all.
Distinguished figures from the music industry are slated to serve as presenters during the ceremony. Among them are jazz saxophonist Dave Koz, acclaimed vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, award-winning producer Edgar Barrera, bluegrass musician Jesse Welles, mandolin player Sierra Hull, trombone virtuoso Trombone Shorty, and five-time Grammy winner Jimmy Jam, who is also a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and former chair of the Recording Academy’s board of trustees. Their presence underscores the prestige and importance of this precursor event.
The Premiere Ceremony will also be enlivened by a variety of musical performances. The opening act will feature a collaborative performance by Grace Potter, Israel Houghton, Lila Iké, Maggie Rose, and Trombone Shorty. Additionally, Darren Criss, Helen J Shen, Spiritbox, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zara Larsson are scheduled to deliver individual performances, promising a dynamic and entertaining start to the Grammy festivities.
Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, emphasized the significance of this event, stating that the Premiere Ceremony offers a unique opportunity to witness the vast range of genres and skills that define the music community. He highlighted its role in celebrating those who advance the art form, expressing anticipation for the lineup of presenters and performers who will kick off Grammy Sunday and present the initial awards of the day.
Leading into the 2026 awards show, Kendrick Lamar stands out with an impressive nine nominations, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for his album GNX and its hit single “Luther.” Other notable nominees for Album of the Year include Bad Bunny for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Justin Bieber for SWAG, Sabrina Carpenter for Man’s Best Friend, Clipse, Pusha T & Malice for Let God Sort Em Out, Lady Gaga for MAYHEM, Leon Thomas for MUTT, and Tyler, The Creator for CHROMAKOPIA.
The main 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony, hosted by Trevor Noah, will be broadcast live on CBS and available for live streaming and on-demand viewing on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This extensive coverage ensures that audiences can follow all the developments and celebrated moments of music's biggest night.
The non-televised Grammy Premiere Ceremony serves as an essential prelude, highlighting the depth and diversity of the music industry by honoring a wide range of categories and artists before the main awards show. This event ensures that a broad spectrum of musical achievements receives recognition, complementing the high-profile awards presented later in the evening.