The Grammy Awards will add two new awards in 2026: one for Best Traditional Country Album and one for Best Album Cover. Harvey Mason Jr., chairman of the organizing The Recording Academy, announced this on Thursday.
In addition, the existing Best Country Album category will be renamed Best Contemporary Country Album. According to Mason Jr., the new categories should accommodate “all the diverse artists shaping the future of country music.” The award for Best Country Album this year went to Beyoncé for COWBOY CARTER.
The new award for Best Album Cover focuses on the visual aspect of music. “In today’s digital world, album covers have more impact than ever. Their cultural significance is undeniable,” Mason Jr. states.
The Grammy Awards regularly make adjustments to the awards. Sometimes new ones are added and sometimes categories are dropped. For the 68th edition of the Grammys, a total of 95 categories are on the program, the organization reports.
The award ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The nominations will be announced on Friday, November 7 of this year.