This just in: The first round of nominations for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are here! Each year, iHeartRadio recognizes musicians across all genres, from up-and-coming acts to music’s biggest stars. This year, the awards show is set to take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, and air live on FOX at 8 p.m. EST.
This year’s nominations are likely no surprise to music fans, as they recognize all of the biggest stars and most viral hits of the past year. As fans may have predicted, Taylor Swift takes the cake for the most nominations this year, being considered in nine categories. This year, Swift is up for Artist of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, Favorite TikTok Dance, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite on Screen, and Favorite Tour Style. Most prominently, Swift is being recognized for her song “The Fate of Ophelia” from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Closely following Swift are Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter, and Alex Warren, who each pulled eight nominations. While the winners in some of the award categories are chosen through metrics like streaming data, there are several categories in which fans can help their faves win. Categories eligible for fan voting include Favorite Debut Album, Best Music Video, Best Lyrics, Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite on Screen, Favorite Tour Photographer, Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Tour Style, Favorite Tour Tradition, and Favorite K-Pop Collab. Voting for these categories is currently open and will close on March 19 at 11:59 p.m. PST. To help your favorite artists bring home the gold, go to iHeartRadio.com/awards to vote!
And in case you’re wondering if any of your other favorite artists are nominated, here are all the nominees in a few of the most prominent 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
Best Collaboration of the Year
- “All The Way” – BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman
- “APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- “luther” – Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- “Timeless” – The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
- “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME” – GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
Pop Song of the Year
- “Golden” – HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI
- “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
- “Pink Pony Club” – Chappell Roan
- “The Fate of Ophelia” – Taylor Swift
Want to see who wins? Tune into the iHeartRadio Music Awards on March 26 at 8 p.m. EST on FOX.