The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards are set to be a standout event in the music calendar, with a host of special performances and surprise moments promised for fans. Scheduled to take place on Thursday, 26 March 2026, the awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on FOX.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/ludacris-miley-cyrus-lainey-wilson-031226-b003505ffc8344ba9a621757551685a2.jpg)
Rapper Ludacris has been confirmed to host the event. In addition to his hosting duties, he will also take to the stage to perform and is set to receive the prestigious Landmark Award in recognition of his influential career spanning decades. “I’m excited to return as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards to celebrate and perform alongside some of the best in the industry,” Ludacris stated. He previously hosted the ceremony in 2024, and is looking forward to another memorable evening characterised by unique performances and unexpected surprises.
Notably, pop sensation Miley Cyrus will be honoured during the event, receiving the iHeartRadio Innovator Award. This accolade acknowledges her significant impact on both music and global culture. The timing coincides with the 20th anniversary of her breakout role as Hannah Montana, with a new special set to stream on Disney+ and Hulu, which is generating considerable anticipation among fans.
Another name to watch at this year’s awards is Alex Warren, who has been named the recipient of the Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award. The 23-year-old artist enjoyed a remarkable ascent last year with his chart-topping hit “Ordinary,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100. Warren’s latest single, “Fever Dream,” continues to experience success, currently sitting at No. 21 on the Hot 100 chart.
The night is expected to be filled with dazzling performances, with Lainey Wilson also slated to take the stage. In a particularly exciting development, a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration featuring TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue will be a major highlight, as they prepare to perform together for the first time. The combination of these legendary acts is sure to draw significant attention and enthusiasm from attendees and viewers at home.
The nominations for the 2026 awards have spotlighted Taylor Swift, who leads with an impressive nine nominations. Following closely behind are Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny, each with eight nods to their name. This indicates a broad array of talent represented, showcasing the richesse of the current music scene.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards is a celebration of the most-played tracks across iHeartRadio stations and its accompanying app. Fans are encouraged to participate in the voting process for select categories, which is available via the iHeartRadio website, while social media will facilitate voting for other categories until 19 March. This interactive element allows fans to engage directly with the event, adding another layer of excitement.
As anticipation builds for this year’s ceremony, it is clear the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards promises to be an engaging affair, honouring a diverse range of artists and performances. With Ludacris at the helm, a star-studded lineup of performers, and recognitions for music’s most influential figures, the event is poised to be a memorable night for fans and artists alike.