The biggest names in music, film, television and sports are taking center stage as the 2026 BET Awards return for another unforgettable night celebrating Black excellence.
All eyes are on Cardi B, who entered the ceremony as the most-nominated artist of the year following the blockbuster success of her sophomore album AM I THE DRAMA?. The rap superstar faces fierce competition from Kendrick Lamar, Doechii, Doja Cat, SZA, Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, and dozens of the industry's biggest stars.
Hosted by comedian Druski, the youngest host in BET Awards history at just 31 years old, the ceremony also celebrates achievements in television, film and sports, with stars including Michael B. Jordan, Denzel Washington, Keke Palmer, Teyana Taylor, LeBron James, Sha'Carri Richardson, and Coco Gauff among this year's nominees.
Below is the complete list of nominees. Winners will be updated live as they're announced throughout the night.
See the full list of 2026 BET Awards winners below.
The Fashion Vanguard Award
- A$AP Rocky
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Cardi B
- Colman Domingo
- Doechii
- Rihanna
- Teyana Taylor - WINNER
- Zendaya
The Pulse Award
- 85 South Show
- Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
- Charlamagne Tha God
- Don Lemon
- Druski - WINNER
- It Is What It Is
- Joe and Jada
- On the Radar
- R&B Money Podcast
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Ella Mai
- Jill Scott
- Kehlani - WINNER
- Mariah the Scientist
- Olivia Dean
- SZA
- Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bruno Mars
- Bryson Tiller
- Chris Brown
- Durand Bernarr
- GIVĒON
- Leon Thomas - WINNER
- October London
- Usher
Best Group
- 41
- Clipse
- De La Soul
- FLO
- French Montana & Max B
- Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
- Nas & DJ Premier
- Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
- Wizkid & Asake
Best Collaboration
- "Chains & Whips" - Clipse & Kendrick Lamar
- "Errtime Remix" - Cardi B feat. Jeezy & Latto
- "Go Girl" - Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
- "Good Flirts" - Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
- "Is It a Crime" - Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
- "It Depends (The Remix)" - Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller & Usher
- "Take Me Thru Dere" - Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
- "wgft" - Gunna feat. Burna Boy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- A$AP Rocky
- Baby Keem
- BigXthaPlug
- DaBaby
- Don Toliver
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kendrick Lamar
- T.I.
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B - WINNER
- Coi Leray
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Monaleo
- YK Niece
Video of the Year
- "100" - Ella Mai
- "Anxiety" - Doechii
- "Burning Blue" - Mariah the Scientist
- "Chanel" - Tyla
- "Escape Room (Short Film)" - Teyana Taylor
- "Folded" - Kehlani
- "LET 'EM KNOW" - T.I.
- "luther" - Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
- A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
- Anderson .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cardi B & Patience Foster
- Cole Bennett
- Director X
- Hype Williams
- Teyana "Spike-Tey" Taylor - WINNER
Best New Artist
- Belly Gang Kushington
- DESTIN CONRAD
- JayDon
- kwn
- Miles Minnick
- Monaleo
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Trap Dickey
Album of the Year
- AM I THE DRAMA? - Cardi B
- DON'T TAP THE GLASS - Tyler, the Creator
- everything is a lot. - Wale
- HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY - Mariah the Scientist
- Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse - WINNER
- MUTT Deluxe: HEEL - Leon Thomas
- The Fall-Off - J. Cole
- The Romantic - Bruno Mars
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
- "Able" - Kirk Franklin
- "ABLE (REMIX)" - Darrel Walls, PJ Morton & Kim Burrell
- "All to Thee" - BeBe Winans
- "Already Good (Tasha Slide)" - Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- "At the Cross" - CeCe Winans
- "Church" - Tasha Cobbs Leonard & John Legend
- "Do It Again" - Kirk Franklin
- "Headphones" - Lecrae, Killer Mike & T.I.
Best Actress
- Angela Bassett
- Ayo Edebiri
- Chase Infiniti
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
- Teyana Taylor - WINNER
Best Actor
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Damson Idris
- Delroy Lindo
- Denzel Washington
- Michael B. Jordan
- Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
- Daria Johns
- Graceyn "Gracie" Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Jazzy's World TV
- Lela Hoffmeister
- North West
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- VanVan
Best Movie
- Highest 2 Lowest
- Him
- Number One on the Call Sheet
- One Battle After Another
- Relationship Goals
- Ruth & Boaz
- Sinners
- Wicked: For Good
Sportswoman of the Year Award
- A'ja Wilson - Basketball - WINNER
- Angel Reese - Basketball
- Claressa Shields - Boxing
- Coco Gauff - Tennis
- Flau'jae Johnson - Basketball
- Gabby Thomas - Track & Field
- Jordan Chiles - Gymnastics
- Naomi Osaka - Tennis
- Sha'Carri Richardson - Track & Field
Sportsman of the Year Award
- Aaron Judge - Baseball
- Anthony Edwards - Basketball
- Caleb Williams - Football
- Jalen Brunson - Basketball - WINNER
- Jalen Hurts - Football
- LeBron James - Basketball
- Shedeur Sanders - Football
- Stephen Curry - Basketball
BET Her
- "Already Good (Tasha Slide)" - Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- "Be Great" - Jill Scott feat. Trombone Shorty
- "Beautiful People" - Jill Scott
- "First" - Tems
- "girl, get up." - Doechii feat. SZA - WINNER
- "Go Girl" - Summer Walker feat. Latto & Doja Cat
- "Gorgeous" - Doja Cat
- "Lady Lady" - Olivia Dean
Viewers' Choice
- "Burning Blue" - Mariah the Scientist
- "Chains & Whips" - Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar
- "Chanel" - Tyla
- "Folded" - Kehlani
- "I Just Might" - Bruno Mars
- "It Depends" - Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller
- "Man I Need" - Olivia Dean
- "Outside" - Cardi B
- "Raindance" - Dave & Tems
- "Take Me Thru Dere" - Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
