The 2026 BET Awards lit up the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, celebrating Black excellence across music, film, television, and sports. Hosted by comedian Druski in his debut as emcee, the 26th annual ceremony brought together the biggest names in entertainment to honor the year's standout achievements.
Cardi B entered the night as the leading nominee with six nods, including Album of the Year for Am I the Drama?, Best Female Hip Hop Artist, and Best Collaboration for "Errtime Remix" featuring Jeezy and Latto. Close behind her, Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist each picked up five nominations, while Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto rounded out the field with four nods apiece.
Special Honors of the Night
Beyond the competitive categories, BET recognized three trailblazing women with special honors. Teyana Taylor received the inaugural Icon of the Year Award, sponsored by Hyundai, while music executive Sylvia Rhone was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award for her decades of industry leadership. Hip-hop and neo-soul legend Lauryn Hill received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, sponsored by Sprite, celebrating her enduring influence on music and culture.
New Categories Introduced This Year
The 2026 ceremony also debuted two new categories: the Fashion Vanguard Award and the Pulse Award. Teyana Taylor took home the first-ever Fashion Vanguard Award, besting nominees like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Zendaya, and Bad Bunny, recognizing her influence on style and culture both on and off the red carpet.
Music, Film, and Sports Winners
Across the night's major categories, standout winners included top names in R&B, hip hop, and gospel music, alongside recognition for film and television performances from stars like Michael B. Jordan and Sterling K. Brown in the Best Actor categories. The Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year categories also honored elite athletes from basketball, football, and baseball, reflecting BET's continued recognition of excellence beyond entertainment.
For the full breakdown of every category and winner as they were announced live, you can follow continuing coverage from Billboard, which tracked the ceremony in real time.
A Night Celebrating Black Excellence
As one of the most anticipated nights on the entertainment calendar, the BET Awards once again served as a high-profile celebration of achievement across genres and industries. With performances from artists including Cardi B, Doechii, Jill Scott, Nas, and Queen Latifah, the 2026 ceremony reaffirmed BET's role in spotlighting the cultural impact of Black artists, creators, and athletes on a global stage.