The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced that submissions for the 2026 Juno Awards will officially open on September 22, 2025, utilizing the Yangaroo Awards platform. This marks the beginning of the journey toward celebrating Canada’s most talented artists at the nation’s largest music awards show, taking place in Hamilton, Ontario from March 26–29, 2026. The main broadcast will be held in the newly renovated Hamilton Arena (formerly FirstOntario Centre), adding to the excitement of this year’s event.
What’s New This Year
The Junos continue to evolve alongside Canada’s vibrant and diverse music scene. For 2026, CARAS has introduced a significant new category:
- Latin Music Recording of the Year – This new award will recognize Canadian artists creating music across all Latin American languages and genres, reflecting the growth and influence of Latin sounds in the Canadian music landscape.
In addition, the Juno Awards are updating rules to strengthen recognition of Canadian talent:
- Rap Categories – For both Rap Single and Rap Album/EP of the Year, at least 50% of the vocals must now be performed by Canadian citizens or permanent residents. This change ensures Canadian MCs remain at the forefront of recognition in these categories.
These updates follow recent efforts by CARAS to expand inclusivity, including the introduction of a South Asian music category in 2025 and the split of Indigenous music into Traditional and Contemporary categories in 2022.
