The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards take place Thursday, October 22, in Miami, bringing together Latin music’s biggest chart performers for a night of awards, live performances and tributes. With Peso Pluma leading the nominations, Karol G among the top contenders and a new fan-voted category, this year’s ceremony celebrates both commercial success and the artists shaping Latin music’s international reach.
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When and Where Are the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026?
The ceremony will take place at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida, hosted by Colombian actress and television presenter Carmen Villalobos and Mexican broadcaster Javier Poza. The main broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock. Viewers can also watch through Universo and the Telemundo app, while international availability varies by territory.
Coverage begins before the main show. Telemundo Entretenimiento will stream an exclusive YouTube broadcast at 6 p.m. ET, followed by blue-carpet programming at 7 p.m. ET on Telemundo and Peacock. The ceremony also concludes Billboard Latin Music Week, which runs from October 19 to 22 in Miami with artist interviews, industry panels, performances and networking events.
Who Leads the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026 Nominations?
Peso Pluma leads this year’s finalists with 17 nominations. His cousin and frequent collaborator Tito Double P follows with 15, while Fuerza Regida earns 12 nominations. Karol G is the most-nominated female artist with nine, followed by Prince Royce with eight and Bad Bunny with seven.
The Artist of the Year race features Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, Karol G, Peso Pluma and Tito Double P. Meanwhile, El De Las R’s, Emmanuel Cortes, Gael Valenzuela, Herencia de Grandes and Omar Courtz compete for New Artist of the Year.
Touring Artist of the Year recognizes Bad Bunny, Karol G, Pitbull, Ricardo Arjona and Shakira. The Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year category features Bad Bunny, Beéle, Fuerza Regida, Karol G and Shakira. Bruno Mars, Burna Boy, DJ Snake, Shenseea and Steve Aoki are nominated for Crossover Artist of the Year.
How Does the Fan Favorite Artist Award Work?
One of the biggest additions to the 2026 ceremony is the Fan Favorite Artist award, the first category in the show’s history decided directly by public voting rather than Billboard chart performance.
Karol G, Fuerza Regida, Peso Pluma, Prince Royce and Tito Double P are the five finalists. Fans can vote through Telemundo’s official voting platform, with up to 20 votes permitted per day. Voting is scheduled to close at 7 p.m. ET on October 22, ahead of the main ceremony.
Unlike the traditional categories, which reflect measurable commercial performance across Billboard’s charts, this award gives fans a direct say in the outcome.
Who Is Performing at the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026?
The performance lineup spans regional Mexican music, reggaeton, Latin pop, bachata and contemporary Latin sounds. Manuel Turizo, Tito Double P, Xavi, Ozuna, Wisin and Ivy Queen are among the scheduled performers, alongside Víctor Manuelle, Elvis Crespo, Kapo and Fuerza Regida with Chuyin.
The program also includes RIZA with Pablo Alborán, Nanpa Básico with Melymel, La Nueva Ola de Cumbia, Erick Brian, HaAsh, Jessi Uribe, Paola Jara, Nella, Pututi & Nesty and SANTOS BRAVOS. Cristian Castro and HaAsh are set to collaborate, bringing together one of Latin pop’s established voices and the Mexican-American duo.
Juan Gabriel Tribute and Special Awards
The ceremony will commemorate the 10th anniversary of Juan Gabriel’s death with a tribute featuring Carlos Rivera, Jessi Uribe, Pablo Alborán, Paola Jara and Yahritza y Su Esencia. The celebration recognizes the enduring influence of the Mexican singer-songwriter, whose music continues to connect audiences across generations.
Another performance will unite José Luis Rodríguez, known as El Puma, Nella and Nanpa Básico in a segment addressing the impact of natural disasters on communities around the world.
Four major honors will recognize artists whose influence extends beyond their latest chart results. Cristian Castro will receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award, while Fuerza Regida will be presented with the Billboard Vanguard Award for its role in expanding regional Mexican music’s reach. Rosalía, a six-time finalist this year, will receive the Billboard Hall of Fame Award, and Rubén Blades will be honored with the Billboard Icon Award for his contributions as a singer, songwriter, actor and political figure.
How to Watch the Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026
In the United States, the ceremony airs live on Telemundo and streams on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 22. Universo and the Telemundo app will also carry the broadcast. The pre-show schedule starts at 6 p.m. ET with a YouTube livestream from Telemundo Entretenimiento, followed by blue-carpet coverage at 7 p.m. ET.
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