Mark Your Calendar. The 57th GMA Dove Awards Are Headed Back to Nashville This October
Christian music's biggest night of the year is locked in - and it is coming up faster than you think.
The 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards return to Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The ceremony is the premier awards event for Christian and Gospel music, honoring artists, songwriters, and industry professionals across more than 40 categories spanning every genre - from Contemporary Christian and Worship to Southern Gospel, Urban Gospel, and Christian Hip Hop.
The eligibility period for this year's awards covers music released between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026 - meaning artists who dropped music in the past year, including many of the names JubileeCast has covered throughout 2026, are now in contention. Nominees will be announced on July 29, 2026 after GMA Professional Members cast their first ballot.
Looking back at the 56th Annual Dove Awards, the show delivered some of the most memorable performances in recent years - including For KING + COUNTRY opening with "World On Fire," Carrie Underwood joining Ben Fuller on stage, Steven Curtis Chapman performing an Opry 100 tribute alongside Lady A and Vince Gill, and Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll closing the night together with special guest Jon Batiste. The bar for 2026 is already set high.
For fans who want the full experience, the Music City Fan Experience runs October 4 through 7, 2026, and includes a Night of Worship at the Ryman Auditorium, a New Artist Showcase, and premium seating at the Dove Awards itself.
Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster. For a night that consistently celebrates the artists and songs shaping the faith of millions, the 57th Dove Awards is one to plan around.
