Grammys 2026: Start time, where to watch, and the night’s top winners
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Los Angeles, delivering headline wins for Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and Olivia Dean while spotlighting a wide slate of genre trophies from the afternoon Premiere Ceremony through the prime-time show. If you missed the broadcast live—or you’re still catching up on the grammies highlights—here’s what to know about timing, viewing options, nominations, performers, and the biggest results.
Grammys 2026 time and start details
The Grammys ran as an all-day event, with most awards handed out earlier in the day and the biggest categories saved for the televised ceremony. All times below are Eastern Time (ET).
| Segment | Start time (ET) | What it covered |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Ceremony | 3:30 p.m. | Majority of categories presented before the televised show |
| Red carpet coverage | 6:00 p.m. | Arrivals, interviews, fashion, and quick pre-show moments |
| Main telecast | 8:00 p.m. | Top awards, performances, and headline speeches |
| Rewatch/on-demand | After the show | Full replay availability varied by provider and plan |
Where to watch the Grammys 2026
In the U.S., the main telecast aired on the long-running broadcast network that traditionally carries the Grammys, and it was also available through its affiliated subscription streaming service for live viewing. If you were searching “where to watch the Grammys 2026 for free,” the simplest legal option was often an over-the-air antenna for the broadcast signal (where available).
For cord-cutters, many live-TV streaming bundles carried the same broadcast feed, while on-demand replays typically appeared after the show window ended. Red carpet coverage aired on a major entertainment-focused cable channel and was also available through various TV-provider logins and select streaming bundles.
Major winners and big-four results
The biggest storyline at the top of the night: Bad Bunny landed two of the biggest prizes, taking Record of the Year for “DtMF” and Album of the Year for DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. Lady Gaga won Song of the Year for “Abracadabra,” and Best New Artist went to Olivia Dean.
A few other widely discussed wins across the night:
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Producer of the Year (Non-Classical): Cirkut
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Songwriter of the Year (Non-Classical): Amy Allen
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Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song: Kehlani, “Folded”
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Best Rock Song: Nine Inch Nails, “As Alive as You Need Me to Be”
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Best Traditional Country Album (new category): Zach Top, Ain’t in It for My Health
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Best Album Cover (new category): Tyler, the Creator, CHROMAKOPIA
Performers and key moments
The show leaned heavily into a “festival” feel, mixing blockbuster pop sets with curated segments. The Grammy performers 2026 lineup included Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, ROSÉ, Tyler, the Creator, Clipse, and Pharrell Williams.
One of the most structured moments was a dedicated Best New Artist segment featuring all eight nominees: Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marías, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, and Lola Young. It was designed as a fast introduction for casual viewers while still giving each nominee a clear spotlight.
Hosting duties returned to Trevor Noah, who had signaled this would be his final run as emcee after multiple consecutive years at the helm.
Grammy nominations 2026: what set the stage
The grammy nominations 2026 were built from an eligibility window that ran from late August 2024 through late August 2025. Kendrick Lamar led the field with nine nominations, landing in major categories and multiple rap slots. Lady Gaga, Jack Antonoff, and Cirkut were close behind with seven apiece, reflecting how much producer and songwriter credits shaped the top-line leaderboard.
This year also introduced two new categories—Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover—a reminder that the Academy continues to tweak the rulebook and category map as genres and formats evolve.
What happens next
In the days following the ceremony, expect the conversation to shift from “who won the Grammys 2026” to impact: streaming bumps for winners, tour announcements timed to the exposure, and an early look at how this year’s results shape momentum for spring releases. For viewers, the easiest catch-up path is usually a full replay first, then the Premiere Ceremony highlights to see many of the craft and genre wins that don’t make the main telecast.
Sources consulted: Recording Academy (GRAMMY.com), Associated Press, People, Entertainment Weekly
