The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner! That’s right, the 2025-26 award show season is finally in sight, starting off with a few events this fall before the avalanche of ceremonies come the new year.
Considering how many great films, TV shows and music have already been released in the past year, these ceremonies are not ones you will want to miss. That being said, there are a lot of events to keep track of.
That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to the 2025-2026 Awards Season: So you never have to worry about missing your favorite show or movie getting the recognition it deserves.
Don’t have DIRECTV? Why not? Let’s change that!
2025-26 Awards Show Calendar
And now for a look at the upcoming ceremonies to add to your calendar. From the Critics Choice Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards to the American Music Awards and beyond, we’ve got all the insights you need to win this awards season.
Please note: this post will be updated as new information is released about the 2025-26 iterations of the listed award shows. Information is subject to change.
MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs)
The MTV VMAs celebrate the best music videos and performances of the year. The majority of winners are chosen based on fan voting, but there are a few awards determined by a panel of industry professionals put together by MTV.
- Date: Sunday, September 7th, 2025
- Eligibility Period: June 22, 2024 – June 20, 2025
- Where to Watch: MTV (Channel 311)
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement: August 5th, 2025
- Top Nominated Artist: Lady Gaga (12 nominations)
Related: Guide to the VMAs
77th Primetime Emmy Awards
The Primetime Emmy Awards are an annual celebration of the best TV programming, voted on by members of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
- Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
- Eligibility Period: June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025
- Where to Watch: CBS
- Hosts: Nate Bargatze
- Nomination Announcement: July 15th, 2025
- Top Nominated Program: Severance
Related: Guide to 2025 Emmy Awards
52nd Daytime Emmy Awards
- Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
- Where to Watch: CBS and Paramount+
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: July 10, 2025
- Top Nominated Program: The Young and the Restless (19)
Billboard Latin Music Awards
- Date: October 23, 2025
- Where to Watch: Telemundo, Peacock
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
26th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards
- Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET
- Eligibility Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
- Where to Watch: Univision
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: September 17, 2025
- Top Nominated Artist: TBA
59th Annual Country Music Association Awards
- Date: Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET
- Eligibility Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025
- Where to Watch: ABC
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: September 8, 2025
- Top Nominated Artist: TBA
Related: Guide to CMAs
35th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards
Celebrating independent cinema, the Gotham Awards are voted on by film critics, industry professionals, and experts in indie filmmaking.
- Date: TBA (usually early December)
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: TBA
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
83rd Annual Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globes is an annual show honoring American and international film and television, with winners being decided by the members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
- Date: Sunday, January 11, 2026
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: CBS & streaming on Paramount+
- Host: Nikki Glaser
- Nomination Announcement Date: Monday, December 8, 2025, at 8 a.m. ET
Related: 2025 Golden Globes Watch Guide
31st Annual Critics Choice Awards
Annual award ceremony to honor the finest American and Canadian cinematic achievements, presented by the Critics Choice Association.
- Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. ET
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: E!, Peacock
- Hosts: Chelsea Handler
- Nomination Announcement Date: December 4, 2025 (TV nominees) and December 5, 2025 (film nominees)
Related: 2025 Critics Choice Awards Guide
68th Annual Grammy Awards
The Grammys honor musical excellence, with winners chosen by members of the Recording Academy.
- Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026
- Eligibility Period: August 31, 2024 – August 30, 2025
- Where to Watch: CBS and streaming on Paramount+
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
Related: 2025 GRAMMY Awards
79th Annual BAFTA Awards
The BAFTAs celebrate achievements in British and international film, with winners selected by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026
- Eligibility Period: January 1, 2025 – February 14, 2026
- Where to Watch: BBC One
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
57th NAACP Image Awards
- Date: Sunday, February 22, 2026 (expected)
- Eligibility Period: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
- Where to Watch: BET, CBS
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
32nd Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards
The SAG Awards annually celebrate the most outstanding film and TV performances of the year, voted on by members of the Screen Actors Guild.
- Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: Netflix
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: January 7, 2026
Related: 2025 SAG Awards Guide
97th Annual Academy Awards (The Oscars)
The Oscars celebrate the best in filmmaking, with winners chosen by members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- Date: March 15, 2026
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: ABC
- Host: Conan O’Brien
- Nomination Announcement Date: December 16, 2025 (Shortlists), followed by official nominations on January 22, 2026.
Related: 2025 Oscars Watch Guide
iHeart Radio Music Awards
- Date: Sunday, March 29th, 2026 (expected)
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: TBA
- Host: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
3rd Annual Gotham TV Awards
The Gotham TV Awards follow after its film predecessor by honoring top talent in front of and behind the camera in television.
- Date: TBA
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: TBA
- Host: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
American Music Awards
The American Music Awards spotlights all the best artists from the year, from chart-topping favorites to breakout stars, along with special honors like the Icon Award.
- Date: Sunday, May 24th, 2026 (expected)
- Eligibility Period: Released in 2025
- Where to Watch: CBS, Paramount+
- Host: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
- Top Nominee: TBA
Related: American Music Awards Watch Guide
79th Annual Tony Awards
The Tony Awards honor excellence in Broadway theater, with winners chosen by the Tony Awards Nominating Committee and voters from various theater industry guilds.
- Date: Sunday, June 8, 2026 (expected)
- Eligibility Period: 2025-2026 Broadway season
- Where to Watch: CBS and streaming on Paramount+
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: May 2026
Related: 2025 Tony Awards Guide
BET Awards 2026
- Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026 (to be confirmed)
- Eligibility Period: released in 2025
- Where to Watch: BET
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
Related: 2025 BET Awards Guide
ESPY Awards
- Date: July 2026 (to be confirmed)
- Eligibility Period: 2025
- Where to Watch: ABC/ESPN
- Hosts: TBA
- Nomination Announcement Date: TBA
Related: 2025 ESPY Awards Watch Guide
Watch Award Shows Live With DIRECTV
From the Golden Globes and Gotham TV Awards to the Academy Awards and beyond, you can watch all the biggest award shows live with DIRECTV. Not to mention you can watch many of the year’s top movies and TV shows on DIRECTV, too.
Get a winning entertainment experience with DIRECTV!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered "Award Season"?
Award Season refers the time between November and March, when the majority of the largest and most well-known award ceremonies in entertainment take place. With shifts in timing and the increased number of events, some may consider September to be the start of the season and March to be the end.
When are The Oscars in 2026?
The 2026 Oscars, or the 98th Annual Academy Awards, will take place on March 15, 2026.
Which award shows are based on fan voting?
The most prominent fan-based voting award shows are the MTV Video Music Awards and the People's Choice Awards.
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