The music world turns its attention to Hollywood as the iHeartRadio Music Awards return to the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with Ludacris as this year's host for a ceremony that will include an appearance from Taylor Swift, special honors for Miley Cyrus and John Mellencamp, a historic R&B/hip-hop girl group team-up and more.
Broadcasting live on FOX tonight, March 26, the iHeartRadio Music Awards aims to celebrate top-played music heard throughout the year across iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and the fandom cultures that permeate across its digital music platforms. Beyond the many music categories, fans were also able to vote for winners in several new and established categories for the show including Favorite Debut Album, Best Music Video, Favorite TikTok Dance, Best Lyrics, Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite K-Pop Collab and more. Taylor Swift is the artist with both the most nominations in the show's history (with 75 nods) and wins (currently at 34 with the potential to pick up nine more wins at this year's show).
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards also feature several special, non-competitive awards. Miley Cyrus will accept the iHeartRadio Innovator Award, a recognition that comes as the singer-actress is celebrating 20 years since her start with Disney's Hannah Montana. Ludacris will receive the iHeartRadio Landmark Award, a tribute to his long-running career in hip-hop and acting. John Mellencamp will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award and perform ahead of his upcoming Dancing Words Tour -- The Greatest Hits trek this summer. "Ordinary" singer Alex Warren was also named the Breakthrough Artist of the Year for this year's show.
This year's iHearts will also include live performances from Mellencamp, Warren, RAYE, Kehlani, Lainey Wilson, and a historic joint set from TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue.
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards broadcast live on FOX on Thursday, March 26, at 8:00 PM/7:00 PM Central. Read on for the full list of nominees and stay tuned for the full winners list as they are announced on March 26, 2026.
2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees & Winners - Main Categories
Song of the Year
- "Anxiety" - Doechii
- "Good News" - Shaboozey
- "Love Somebody" - Morgan Wallen
- "Luther" - Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- "Manchild" - Sabrina Carpenter
- "Mutt" - Leon Thomas
- "Ordinary" - Alex Warren
- "Sorry I'm Here for Someone Else" - Benson Boone
- "Stargazing" - Myles Smith
- "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Artist of the Year
- Bad Bunny
- Benson Boone
- Chris Brown
- Jelly Roll
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Tate McRae
- Taylor Swift
Duo/Group of the Year
- HUNRT/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami
- Linkin Park
- Maroon 5
- Shinedown
- Twenty One Pilots
Best Collaboration
- "All the Way" - BigXthaPlug featuring Bailey Zimmerman
- "APT." - Rosé and Bruno Mars
- "Luther" - Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- "Timeless" - The Weeknd featuring Playboi Carti
- "Whatchu Kno About Me" - GloRilla featuring Sexyy Red
Pop Artist of the Year
- Alex Warren
- Benson Boone
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Tate McRae
- Taylor Swift
Best New Pop Artist
- Alex Warren
- Jessie Murph
- Myles Smith
- Ravyn Lenae
- Sombr
Pop Song of the Year
- "Golden" - HUNRT/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami
- "Manchild" - Sabrina Carpenter
- "Ordinary" - Alex Warren
- "Pink Pony Club" - Chappell Roan
- "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Country Song of the Year
- "After All the Bars Are Closed" - Thomas Rhett
- "Good News" - Shaboozey
- "Liar" - Jelly Roll
- "Love Somebody" - Morgan Wallen
- "Whiskey Drink" - Jason Aldean
Country Artist of the Year
- Jason Aldean
- Jelly Roll
- Lainey Wilson
- Luke Combs
- Morgan Wallen
Best New Country Artist
- Chase Matthew
- Ella Langley
- Hudson Westbrook
- Josh Ross
- Zach Top
Hip-Hop Song of the Year
- "Luther" - Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- "Nokia" - Drake
- "Outside" - Cardi B
- "The Largest" - BigXthaPlug
- "Whatchu Kno About Me" - GloRilla featuring Sexyy Red
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year
- Cardi B
- GloRilla
- Kendrick Lamar
- Playboi Carti
- Tyler, the Creator
Best New Hip-Hop Artist
- Moliy
- Pluto
- Real Boston Richey
- YKNiece
- Zeddy Will
R&B Song of the Year
- "Burning Blue" - Mariah the Scientist
- "Folded" - Kehlani
- "Mutt" - Leon Thomas
- "Residuals" - Chris Brown
- "Somebody Loves Me" - PartyNextDoor & Drake
R&B Artist of the Year
- Chris Brown
- Kehlani
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah the Scientist
- SZA
Best New R&B Artist
- Jenevieve
- Kwn
- Leon Thomas
- Mariah the Scientist
- Sailorr
World Artist of the Year
-
< li > Ayra Starr
< li > Jackson Wang
< li > JO1
< li > Moliy
< li > Tyla
Alternative Song of the Year
-
< li > "Back to Friends" - Sombr
< li > "Ensenada" - Sublime
< li > "One Eyed Bastard" - Green Day
< li > "Stargazing" - Myles Smith
< li > "The Contract" - Twenty One Pilots
Alternative Artist of the Year
-
< li > Cage the Elephant
< li > Green Day
< li > Linkin Park
< li > Sublime
< li > Twenty One Pilots
Best New Alternative Artist
-
< li > Almost Monday
< li > Gigi Perez
< li > Lola Young
< li > Role Model
< li > Sombr
Rock Song of the Year
-
< li > "Afterlife" - Evanescence
< li > "Bad Guy" - Falling in Reverse featuring Saraya
< li > "Dance, Kid, Dance" - Shinedown
< li > "Even If It Kills Me" - Papa Roach
< li > "Heavy Is the Crown" - Linkin Park
Rock Artist of the Year
-
< li > Linkin Park
< li > Papa Roach
< li > Shinedown
< li > Sleep Token
< li > Three Days Grace
Best New Rock Artist
-
< li > Architects
< li > Poppy
< li > Return to Dust
< li > Sleep Theory
< li > Spiritbox
Dance Song of the Year
-
< li > "Blessings" - Calvin Harris featuring Clementine Douglas
< li > "In My Arms" - Illenium and Hayla
< li > "No Broke Boys" - Disco Lines and Tinashe
< li > "Save My Love" - Marshmello, Ellie Goulding and Avaion
< li > "Won't Be Possible" - Tiësto, Odd Mob and Goodboys
Dance Artist of the Year
-
< li > Calvin Harris
< li > David Guetta
< li > John Summit
< li > Martin Garrix
< li > Tiësto