iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026: Host, Performers and Everything to Know
iHeartRadio Music Awards 2026: Host, Performers and Everything to Know
Ingrid VasquezWed, March 25, 2026 at 10:45 PM UTC
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Taylor Swift; Ludacris; Miley CyrusCredit: Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty; Jesse Grant/Getty; Neilson Barnard/Getty -
Ludacris will host, perform, and receive the Landmark Award honoring his cultural impact across decades
Taylor Swift leads with nine nominations while Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny follow with eight each
Miley Cyrus, Alex Warren, and John Mellencamp will receive special honors for their contributions to music and culture
It's time for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards!
Honoring the most-played music on iHeartRadio stations and the company's app, the annual award show is set to air live on Fox on Thursday, March 26.
"This is an annual awards show made exclusively for fans, celebrating the biggest songs and artists they’ve loved listening to on iHeartRadio stations and our iHeartRadio app all year long,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises and Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer of iHeartMedia in a statement
"FOX viewers will also get an exclusive preview of some of the songs they’ll be listening to in the Summer of ‘26," the statement continued.
Keep reading below to find out what to expect from the award show this year.
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Who is hosting the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
Ludacris attends The World's Most Fascinating Dinner at Hall Des Lumieres on September 21, 2023Credit: Cindy Ord/WireImage
.Ludacris, who hosted the ceremony in 2024, will return as host. He will also perform and receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award.
"I’m excited to return as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards to celebrate and perform alongside some of the best in the industry," he said in a statement. "It’s going to be a night with special performances and surprise moments fans are going to love."
Who is nominated at the iHeart Radio Music Awards?
Taylor Swift at the “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert movie premiere at AMC The Grove 14 on October 11, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.Credit: John Shearer/Getty Images
Taylor Swift leads this year's pack of star-studded nominees with nine nominations. She is up for categories such as Artist of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year, Pop Song of the Year, and Best Music Video.
Following suit are Alex Warren, Sabrina Carpenter, and Bad Bunny, who each have eight nominations.
Other nominated artists include Benson Boone, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Leon Thomas, LISA, Morgan Wallen, RAYE, SZA, and Tate McRae.
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Who is performing at the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
Lainey Wilson performs at The Drop: Lainey Wilson at GRAMMY Museum L.A. Live on September 05, 2024Credit: Getty Images for The Recording Academy
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will include a special link-up of TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue performing together for the first time.
Other performers include Ludcaris, Warren, Lainey Wilson, RAYE, Kehlani and John Mellencamp.
Who is appearing at the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
(L-R) Alysa Liu and sombrCredit: Amy Sussman/Getty (2)
The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards will feature appearances by stars from every genre.
In addition to Swift making her first awards show appearance of the year, fans can expect to see special appearances from Alysa Liu, sombr, Nikki Glaser, NE-YO, Nicole Scherzinger, Weezer, and more.
Who is being honored at the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
(L-R) Miley Cyrus,Alex Warren, John MellencampCredit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty (2)
Ludacris will be busy during the 2026 iHeart Radio Music Awards. In addition to hosting and performing, he is set to receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award. The award is given to artists whose music catalogue has shaped culture across decades.
In addition to performing, Warren is set to receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year Award, which celebrates his meteoric rise and record‑breaking achievements in music.
Miley Cyrus, who recently made waves with the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special, is set to receive the iHeartRadio Innovator Award. The award is given to an artists who has impacted music and global culture throughout their career.
Last but not least is Mellencamp, who will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Icon Award.
How can I watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards?
Fans can watch the iHeartRadio Music Awards live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on FOX
The show can be heard on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and on the iHeartRadio app.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
