The 2027 Grammy Awards are bringing changes that reach beyond the performances and red-carpet arrivals. With first-round voting now open, the Recording Academy is introducing new awards, changing eligibility rules and giving some voters more categories to consider. The 69th annual ceremony takes place February 7, 2027, with 100 categories on the ballot.
Here are 10 differences to watch as the race gets underway.
1. The Grammys Are Moving From CBS To ABC
After airing on CBS since 1973, the ceremony moves to ABC in 2027. The change begins a new 10-year agreement with the Recording Academy, giving one of television's biggest music events a different broadcasting home. The show will also be available on Disney+ and Hulu.
2. Asian Pop Gets Its Own Performance Award
Best Asian Pop Music Performance joins the competition. It covers music including K-pop, J-pop and C-pop, with meaningful use of one or more Asian languages. The award recognizes the performing artists.
3. R&B Collaborations Get A Separate Spotlight
Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance creates a dedicated award for groups, duos and collaborations. The existing Best R&B Performance category becomes Best R&B Solo Performance, separating solo recordings from shared performances.
4. Traditional Pop Songs Get Another Route To Recognition
A new Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance award recognizes individual songs and tracks. This creates a performance category for traditional pop styles that differ from contemporary pop music.
5. Folk Albums Are Divided Into Two Categories
Best Traditional Folk Album joins the awards, while Best Folk Album becomes Best Contemporary Folk Album. The change gives traditional and contemporary recordings separate competitions.
6. Latin Songwriters Get A New Award
Best Latin Song recognizes songwriters behind newly written Latin songs. Eligible lyrics must be predominantly Spanish-at least 51 percent-and the award goes to the writers of the new material.
7. Best New Artist Allows A Fourth Submission
Artists can now be submitted for Best New Artist four times, up from three. The adjustment gives acts another opportunity to qualify as their careers develop. It does not automatically make every previously submitted artist eligible.
8. Albums Need A Smaller Proportion Of New Recordings
The minimum proportion of new recordings required for album eligibility drops from 75 percent to 66 percent. This allows more albums containing previously released recordings to meet that particular requirement.
9. Some Voters Can Consider More Categories
A new option called Ballot Plus lets qualified voting members vote in up to 15 categories related to their professional expertise, regardless of field. Participation depends on verified credits, connecting the expanded ballot to members' actual work in music.
10. More Album Songwriters And Composers Can Receive Recognition
Writers of new material on winning albums in most genre album categories will now receive Grammy statuettes and achievement certificates under the applicable rules. The expansion brings their recognition closer to that already given to producers and engineers.
First-round voting runs October 12-22, 2026, and determines the nominees. For artists and fans, these changes make the coming nominations particularly interesting: several kinds of music now have a dedicated award, while revised rules could bring additional recordings into contention.
