The 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards took over Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on Thursday, March 26, airing live on FOX and iHeartRadio stations nationwide. Hosted by Ludacris-who also received the Landmark Award-the 13th annual ceremony celebrated the most-played artists and songs of 2025 across iHeartRadio platforms.
Taylor Swift emerged as the night's biggest winner, taking home five awards from nine nominations.
Top Winner of the Night
Taylor Swift - 5 Wins
- Artist of the Year
- Pop Song of the Year
- Pop Album of the Year
- Best Lyrics
- Best Music Video
- Favorite Tour Style
Special Honors
iHeartRadio Icon Award - John Mellencamp
Presented by his daughter Teddi Mellencamp in an emotional moment, the legendary artist performed "Jack & Diane" and "Pink Houses" acoustically. Teddi shared, through tears, "He saved my life."
iHeartRadio Innovator Award - Miley Cyrus
Honored for her lasting impact on music and pop culture, marking the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana.
iHeartRadio Landmark Award - Ludacris
The host of the night was recognized for his significant contributions to hip-hop and entertainment.
Breakthrough Artist
Breakthrough Artist of the Year - Alex Warren
Warren also won:
- Best New Artist (Pop)
- Favorite Debut Album
General Categories
Artist of the Year - Taylor Swift
Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "Anxiety" - Doechii
- "Good News" - Shaboozey
- "Love Somebody" - Morgan Wallen
- "luther" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- "Manchild" - Sabrina Carpenter
- "MUTT" - Leon Thomas
- "Ordinary" - Alex Warren
- "Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else" - Benson Boone
- "Stargazing" - Myles Smith
- "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Songwriter of the Year - Amy Allen
Producer of the Year - Andrew Watt
Duo/Group of the Year (Nominees) - HUNTR/X, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, Shinedown, Twenty One Pilots
Best Collaboration (Nominees)
- "All The Way" - BigXthaPlug ft. Bailey Zimmerman
- "APT." - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- "luther" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- "Timeless" - The Weeknd ft. Playboi Carti
- "WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME" - GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
Pop
Pop Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Alex Warren, Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift
Pop Song of the Year - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Pop Album of the Year - The Life of a Showgirl - Taylor Swift
Best New Artist (Pop) - Alex Warren
Country
Country Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen
Country Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "After All The Bars Are Closed" - Thomas Rhett
- "Good News" - Shaboozey
- "Liar" - Jelly Roll
- "Love Somebody" - Morgan Wallen
- "Whiskey Drink" - Jason Aldean
Best New Artist (Country) - Ella Langley
Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Cardi B, GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Playboi Carti, Tyler, The Creator
Hip-Hop Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "luther" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
- "NOKIA" - Drake
- "Outside" - Cardi B
- "The Largest" - BigXthaPlug
- "WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME" - GloRilla ft. Sexyy Red
R&B
R&B Song of the Year - "Folded" - Kehlani
R&B Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Chris Brown, Kehlani, Leon Thomas, Mariah the Scientist, SZA
Best New Artist (R&B) - Leon Thomas
Rock & Alternative
Rock Song of the Year - "Heavy Is the Crown" - Linkin Park
Rock Artist of the Year - Shinedown
Best New Artist (Rock) - Sleep Theory
Alternative Artist of the Year - Twenty One Pilots
Alternative Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "Back To Friends" - sombr
- "Ensenada" - Sublime
- "One Eyed Bastard" - Green Day
- "Stargazing" - Myles Smith
- "The Contract" - Twenty One Pilots
Best New Artist (Alternative) - Various nominees included almost monday, Gigi Perez, Lola Young, Role Model, sombr
K-Pop
K-Pop Artist of the Year (Nominees)
JENNIE, j-hope, Jin, LISA, ROSÉ
K-Pop Group of the Year (Nominees)
ATEEZ, BLACKPINK, ENHYPEN, Stray Kids, TWICE
K-Pop Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "APT." - ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- "JUMP" - BLACKPINK
- "Killin' It Girl" - j-hope ft. GloRilla
- "like JENNIE" - JENNIE
Best New Artist (K-Pop) - Cortis
Latin
Latin Pop/Urban Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Bad Bunny, Feid, J Balvin, Karol G, Shakira
Latin Pop/Urban Song of the Year (Nominees)
- "Angel" - Grupo Frontera & Romeo Santos
- "DEGENERE" - Myke Towers & benny blanco
- "DtMF" - Bad Bunny
- "Qué Pasaría..." - Rauw Alejandro & Bad Bunny
- "Soltera" - Shakira
Best New Artist (Latin Pop/Urban) - Various nominees
Regional Mexican Artist of the Year (Nominees)
Alejandro Fernández, Carín León, Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera, Luis Angel "El Flaco"
Fan-Voted Categories
Best Lyrics - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Best Music Video - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Taylor Swift
Favorite Tour Style - Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour
Favorite TikTok Dance - "MONA LISA" - j-hope
Favorite Debut Album - You'll Be Alright, Kid - Alex Warren
Favorite On Screen - Jimin and Jungkook - Are You Sure?!
Favorite Soundtrack - KPop Demon Hunters
Favorite Broadway Debut - Tom Felton - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
