The BET Awards 2026 take over the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles tonight, bringing together some of the biggest names in music, film, television, and sports. With Cardi B leading this year’s nominations and a stacked lineup of performers and presenters, the annual celebration is set to be one of the biggest nights on the entertainment calendar.
Here’s everything you need to know before the show begins.
When are the BET Awards 2026?
The 2026 BET Awards take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony returns to its traditional late-June schedule after nominations were announced on May 19. This year’s event celebrates achievements across music, television, film, sports, and digital media.
Where to watch the BET Awards 2026
Fans can watch the main ceremony live tonight through BET, with additional streaming options available through participating TV providers and live television streaming services that carry the network.
Before the main event, viewers can also tune into the official pre-show, hosted by Rocsi Diaz and Bow Wow, featuring celebrity interviews, fashion highlights, and red carpet arrivals.
Who is hosting?
Actor, comedian, and internet personality Druski will host the BET Awards for the first time.
Who leads the nominations?
Cardi B enters the ceremony as the night’s most-nominated artist with six nominations, including Album of the Year for Am I The Drama?.
Close behind are Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist, who each earned five nominations. Other major nominees include Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Olivia Dean, Latto, and Teyana Taylor, all receiving four nominations apiece.
Full performers lineup
The 2026 ceremony features one of BET’s largest performance rosters in recent years.
Artists scheduled to perform include:
- Alexia Jayy
- Ari Lennox
- Baby Keem
- BJ the Chicago Kid
- Cardi B
- Common
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- Don Toliver
- Durand Bernarr
- Erica Campbell
- French Montana & Max B
- George Clinton
- Jill Scott
- Kehlani
- Kenny Iko
- Kwn
- Le’Andria Johnson
- Lizzo
- Nas
- Queen Latifah
- Rapsody
- RAYE
- Rick Ross
- Selah Marley
- Tems
- The War and Treaty
- T.I.
- Tierra Whack
- YG Marley
- Zion Marley
Special tribute performances
One of the night’s biggest moments will celebrate Lauryn Hill, who becomes the inaugural recipient of the Living Legend Icon Award.
The tribute will feature performances from Lizzo, Doechii, Nas, Queen Latifah, Common, Tierra Whack, Rapsody, The War and Treaty, YG Marley, Zion Marley, and additional guests honoring Hill’s influence on hip-hop, soul, and contemporary music.
Another major segment honors D’Angelo, with performances by RAYE, Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, and George Clinton.
The ceremony will also feature an In Memoriam performance celebrating gospel legend Richard Smallwood, led by Erica Campbell and Le’Andria Johnson.
New awards debuting in 2026
BET introduces four new honors this year:
- Fashion Vanguard Award
- Pulse Award
- Living Legend Icon Award
- Icon of the Year
Lauryn Hill becomes the first recipient of the Living Legend Icon Award, while Teyana Taylor receives the inaugural Icon of the Year Award. Music executive Sylvia Rhone will also be recognized with the Ultimate Icon Award for her decades of influence across the recording industry.
Presenters
The ceremony’s presenters include:
- Carl Anthony Payne II
- Chloe Bailey
- Chris “Comedian CP” Powell
- Deon Cole
- DeRay Davis
- Diarra Kilpatrick
- Gail Bean
- Isaiah John
- Jaafar Jackson
- Jacob Latimore
- Keke Palmer
- Kelly Rowland
- Latto
- Luke James
- Nia Long
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