The 68th annual Grammy Awards commenced on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event kicked off with a vibrant atmosphere as the first award of the day was presented to Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande for their collaboration on “Defying Gravity.” The duo was not present to accept the award, which marked a significant moment in the ceremony.
The Premiere Ceremony, hosted by musician Darren Criss, saw an impressive total of 86 awards distributed prior to the main telecast. This year’s event shifted its focus back to celebrating music, a contrast to the previous year when the show was reimagined due to relief efforts following the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
The energy surged as Earth, Wind & Fire opened the ceremony with a lively performance of “Shining Star,” joined by artists including Israel Houghton and Trombone Shorty. Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason Jr. expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “That’s how you start a show! That’s a statement. That’s joy. That’s resilience.”
Viewing Details and Main Show Highlights
The main show will air live on CBS starting at 20:00 Eastern Time. For viewers outside traditional cable, streaming options include Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and FuboTV. Subscribers to Paramount+ can enjoy live streaming, while others will have on-demand access the following day. The Premiere Ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater, beginning at 15:30 Eastern Time, and was available for streaming on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and live.GRAMMY.com.
The Associated Press also provided coverage of the event, including a four-hour red carpet show featuring interviews and fashion highlights, streamed on YouTube and APNews.com.
Notable Nominations and Performances
Leading the nominations for this year’s awards is Kendrick Lamar with nine nods, followed closely by Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Canadian producer Cirkut, each with seven nominations. Other notable nominees include Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, and Leon Thomas, who all received six nominations.
The ceremony will feature a diverse lineup of presenters and performers. Notable presenters include Doechii, Harry Styles, and Queen Latifah. Performances are set to include contributions from Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and the nominees for Best New Artist, showcasing the vibrant talent within the industry.
In a touching tribute segment, artists such as Ms. Lauryn Hill will honor the legacies of D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, while Post Malone and others will pay homage to Ozzy Osbourne.
As the night unfolds, the anticipation builds for what could be a historic Grammy ceremony, celebrating the resilience and creativity of artists from around the globe. The return to a music-centric focus promises a memorable evening filled with excitement and talent.
