Grammys add Best Album Cover category
Best Album Cover category added by Grammys
Big changes are on the horizon for the music industry’s biggest night. The Recording Academy just announced major updates for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, and the shake-up includes new award categories, revised voting rules, and expanded recognition across creative roles.
From the debut of an album cover award to tweaks in Best New Artist eligibility, the 2026 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be more inclusive, visually aware, and aligned with the evolving music landscape.
Whether you’re a casual fan, an up-and-coming artist, or a seasoned industry pro, here’s everything you need to know about the latest Grammy rule changes—and why they matter.
Save the Date: 2026 Grammy Awards Timeline
The 2026 Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026, live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. This marks the 68th edition of the ceremony, which continues to celebrate the year’s most impactful contributions to music and sound.
Here’s a breakdown of the official Grammy Awards timeline:
- Eligibility window: August 31, 2024 – August 30, 2025
- Submission period: July 16 – August 29, 2025
- First-round voting: October 3 – October 15, 2025
- Nomination announcement: November 7, 2025
- Final voting period: December 12, 2025 – January 5, 2026
- Grammy Awards air date: February 1, 2026
These dates are critical for artists, labels, publicists, and fans tracking who could make the final cut when the Grammy nominations 2026 are announced.
Album Covers Now Get Their Own Grammy Category
One of the most exciting changes? The Grammys will now officially recognize album artwork with its own dedicated category: Best Album Cover.
For decades, visuals have played a central role in music culture. From classic covers like The Dark Side of the Moon to modern masterpieces like Renaissance, great cover art leaves a lasting impression. Until now, graphic designers and visual artists behind album art were only acknowledged through broader categories like Best Recording Package.
This new category finally gives visual creatives their moment in the spotlight. And for fans, it offers an extra layer of appreciation for the design and storytelling that surrounds the music.
Why It Matters:
Album covers aren’t just packaging—they’re cultural artifacts. They help define an era, an artist’s identity, and the entire aesthetic of a music project. This update reflects a deeper understanding of how visuals contribute to a listener’s experience.
Best New Artist Rules Get a Modern Update
The Best New Artist category has long been a source of both celebration and controversy. One of the biggest hurdles? Artists who were part of major album projects were often disqualified—even if their roles were minimal.
That’s now changing.
Under the new rule, artists can still qualify for Best New Artist even if they contributed to an Album of the Year-nominated project—as long as their contribution doesn’t exceed 20% of the album’s content.
What This Means for Artists:
This gives rising talent a better chance to shine, even if they’ve had a minor feature or writing credit on a big project. The music world is full of behind-the-scenes magic, and this change helps more emerging voices break through.
It’s a nod to how collaborations happen in the modern music industry. One guest verse or songwriting credit shouldn’t keep a promising act out of contention.
Recording Package Awards Combine for Simplicity
The Grammy Awards 2026 will also feature a streamlined version of its design-focused honors. Previously, the Academy had two separate categories:
- Best Recording Package
- Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
Going forward, these will be merged into a single award that recognizes excellence in overall packaging—whether it’s a digital drop or an elaborate vinyl box set.
Why It’s Important:
This change simplifies the award system while still honoring the full scope of album presentation. It keeps the focus on creative design without splitting hairs across packaging formats.
More Recognition in the Classical Field
Classical music is also getting more inclusive at the 2026 Grammy Awards. New rules mean that composers, lyricists, and librettists will now share Grammy wins alongside performers, producers, and engineers.
For years, these vital creators were excluded from official Grammy recognition in many classical categories. That’s no longer the case.
Evergreen Value:
This update reminds all music fans—regardless of genre—that the creative process involves a wide range of contributors. Whether it’s writing a libretto or scoring an orchestral piece, these roles are essential to the finished product.
How Grammy Voting Works: A Quick Guide
With more fans curious about how Grammy winners are chosen, here’s a quick breakdown of the Grammy Awards voting process:
- Submission Period: Artists, labels, and industry professionals submit eligible music during the open call.
- Screening Committees: Expert groups determine which submissions fit into which categories.
- First-Round Voting: Voting members of the Recording Academy vote to determine the final nominees.
- Nomination Announcement: Top vote-getters are announced as official Grammy nominees.
- Final-Round Voting: A second round of voting determines the winners in each category.
- Winners Announced: The winners are revealed live during the Grammy Awards broadcast.
Only voting members of the Recording Academy can participate, and they’re expected to vote based on quality, not popularity or sales.
How These Changes Reflect the Evolution of the Music Industry
The Recording Academy has made several major moves in recent years to modernize the Grammys. From eliminating secret nomination review committees to adding new genres like Best African Music Performance (introduced in 2024), the organization is steadily adjusting to the changing landscape.
Adding a category for album covers, expanding eligibility for new artists, and recognizing more creative roles are all part of a broader effort to make the Grammys more fair, diverse, and reflective of today’s music ecosystem.
What Artists and Fans Should Watch For in 2026
As the 2026 Grammy submission window approaches, expect to see artists campaigning harder than ever—not just for their songs, but also for their visuals and packaging.
For fans, this offers an even richer viewing and listening experience. You’ll not only see your favorite performers win, but also get a glimpse into the designers, illustrators, and creatives who helped shape each project.
And for artists on the rise, the more inclusive Best New Artist criteria could open career-defining doors.
A Grammy Evolution Worth Celebrating
While the Grammy Awards have long been the gold standard in the music industry, they haven’t always kept pace with the changing times. But the latest round of updates shows that the Academy is listening—both to the public and to the people behind the music.
The addition of Best Album Cover, the revised rules for Best New Artist, and expanded recognition for composers and designers point to a more well-rounded, artist-first future.
Whether you’re watching for the performances, the fashion, or the winners’ reactions, one thing is clear: the 2026 Grammys are shaping up to be one of the most innovative yet.