Overview
- The Recording Academy formally published the rulebook changes on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, announcing five new categories that will apply to the 69th GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 7, 2027.
- New categories are 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.
- The Academy introduced Ballot Plus, an opt-in voting option that lets verified voting members cast ballots in up to 15 peer-related categories after they submit and have their professional credits checked.
- Eligibility changes raise the maximum Best New Artist submissions from three to four and lower the new-recording requirement for album eligibility from 75% to 66%, while songwriters of new material on winning albums will now receive GRAMMY statuettes and certificates.
- Some fields were restructured to make room for additions — for example Best R&B Performance is now Best R&B Solo Performance and Best Folk Album is now Best Contemporary Folk Album — a move the Academy says responds to shifting artist development and global chart trends.