BET Awards 2026: Everything to Know About Culture's Biggest Night
BET Awards 2026: Everything to Know About Culture's Biggest Night
Rachel McRadyFri, June 26, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC
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Kendrick Lamar attends the BET Awards in Los Angeles in June 2025Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty -
The 2026 BET Awards will air live Sunday, June 28 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles
Teyana Taylor and Lauryn Hill will receive top honors, including the Icon of the Year and Living Legend Icon awards
New categories like the Fashion Vanguard Award and Pulse Award will debut to celebrate cultural and creative impact
It's that time of year again! The 2026 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 28, and this year they're bringing the heat with some star performers and legendary milestone awards for musical icons.
The show, which will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, has been running for 26 years and celebrates Black Entertainment Television's biggest names in music, film, TV and sports.
BET describes the event as “the Super Bowl of Black culture.” And what's a Super Bowl without some world-class talent?
Here's a look at what to expect during this year's show:
When Are the BET Awards?
This year's ceremony takes place live Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET. The show will be broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Where Can I Watch?
The awards will be simulcast on BET, BET HER, CMT, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount, POP, VH1, Comedy Central and TV Land.
When and Where Is the Pre-Show?
After the show it's the after party, but before the show you can catch the red carpet live streaming on YouTube.
Druski will be hosting the 2026 BET Awards.Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety via GettyWho Is the Host?
This year, comedian and content creator Druski will be hosting the awards, so it's sure to be an over-the-top event. Not convinced? Druski's already kicked off his hosting duties in a big way, sharing the news of his hosting with A-listers like Cardi B and Jamie Foxx by surprising them with gospel choirs, mariachi bands and even on horseback.
Who Are the Performers?
Cardi B, Common, Doechii, Don Toliver, French Montana, Kehlani, kwn, Max B, Queen Latifah, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., The War and Treaty, RAYE, Ari Lennox, Alexia Jayy, Baby Keem, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, Erica Campbell, George Clinton, Le'Andria Johnson, Nas, Rapsody and BET Amplified artist Kenny Iko are all slated to perform at the show.
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Who Are the Presenters?
Carl Anthony Payne II, Chlöe Bailey, Chris "Comedian CP" Powell, Deon Cole, DeRay Davis, Diarra Kilpatrick, Gail Bean, Isaiah John, Jaafar Jackson, Jacob Latimore, Keke Palmer, Kelly Rowland, Latto, Luke James and Nia Long have all been tapped to present.
Who Are the Nominees?
On the musical side of things, Cardi B is topping the list this year with six nominations including Best Female Hip Hop Artist and Album of the Year for Am I the Drama? Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist both have five nominations each, and the latter's Hearts Sold Separately is also in the running for Album of the Year. Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto each received four nominations, and Kehlani, Bruno Mars, SZA, Chris Brown and Metro Boomin have three nods.
In film, Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan is up for his role in Sinners. Some of the films being recognized include One Battle After Another, Wicked: For Good, Sinners and more.
Click here for a complete list of nominees.
Teyana Taylor will receive the space Icon of the Year Award at the 2026 BET Awards.Credit: David Becker/Getty
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Are There Any Top Honors?
Teyana Taylor will be taking home the Icon of the Year Award, honoring her contributions to music, film and more. And there is expected to be an epic tribute performance.
Thirty years after her iconic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Lauryn Hill is receiving the Living Legend Icon Award. And record executive Sylvia Rhone will also receive an award for her contributions to Black culture.
Are There Any New Categories?
Yes! For its 26th year, the show will feature the new Fashion Vanguard Award for cultural impact in fashion and the Pulse Award for a creator, campaign or content series making a powerful impact on Black culture. Some of the top nominees for the Fashion Vanguard Award include Beyoncé, Zendaya, Teyana Taylor, Cardi B, Rihanna, Doechii and more, while the Pulse Award has tapped personalities like Charlamagne Tha God and even host Druski as well as podcasts like Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
The 2026 BET Awards will take place Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET. The awards will be simulcast on BET, BET HER, CMT, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon, Paramount, POP, VH1, Comedy Central and TV Land.
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