Overview
- The Recording Academy announced the package of rule changes on June 16 and 17 and said the updates take effect for the 69th GRAMMYs cycle with the ceremony set for Feb. 7, 2027.
- Five new categories were added: Best Asian Pop Music Performance, Best Latin Song, Best R&B Collaboration or Duo/Group Performance, Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance, and Best Traditional Folk Album.
- Ballot Plus is a new opt-in voting path that lets verified Voting Members cast ballots in up to 15 peer-related categories instead of the standard 10/3 structure after submitting and verifying professional credits.
- Eligibility rules were loosened: artists can now be submitted for Best New Artist up to four times and the required share of new recordings on eligible albums was lowered from 75% to 66%; certain internet-only releases are now eligible for Best Album Notes and Best Historical Album.
- Songwriters and composers of new material on most winning albums will now receive GRAMMY statuettes and achievement certificates, and nominations will be announced in November 2026 as the Academy rolls out Ballot Plus verification ahead of voting.