Grammys 2026 is tonight, and we have the clock. The main telecast kicks off in U.S. prime time, and yes, the red carpet glam hits first. If you are planning snacks, fits, and watch parties, set your alerts now. Here is the exact start time wherever you are, plus how to stream and who is set to own the night.
Here is the Grammys 2026 start time
The main show begins at 8 pm ET. That is the anchor. Everything else flows from there, including the biggest awards and the headline performances.
- 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT, 6 pm MT, 5 pm PT, Sunday
- UK 1 am GMT, Monday
- Europe 2 am CET, Monday
- India 6:30 am IST, Monday
- Tokyo and Seoul 10 am, Monday
- Sydney 12 pm AEDT, Monday
Pre-show and red carpet coverage starts earlier, typically two hours before the main telecast. Expect arrivals, first looks, and early category reveals during that window. Fashion scales up fast, so do not tune in late.
Red carpet coverage begins about two hours before the 8 pm ET telecast. Early winners are announced before the main broadcast.
Add the start time to your calendar with a 15 minute alert. Champagne and chargers ready before the first performance.
How to watch and stream tonight
You can watch live on the official broadcast network in your market. If you have cable or satellite, tune in on the main channel at the start time listed above. Streaming is straightforward, and you have options.
Most viewers can stream through the network’s official app with a TV provider login. Live TV streaming bundles that carry the channel in your area will also show the broadcast in real time. If you prefer a mobile or tablet setup, update your app now, then sign in before the telecast to avoid any last minute hiccups.
International fans should check the local broadcast partner listed in your TV guide or inside the app store. Start times follow the schedule above, adjusted for your region.
Some streams are region locked. Use the official platform available in your country for a smooth feed.
The showdown, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga
This is a blockbuster race. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga sit at the center of the night’s biggest categories. Each one brings a very different kind of power.
Bad Bunny is the global stadium closer. He turns genre limits into confetti, and the crowd moves as one. Kendrick is the razor edge, the writer everyone studies, the beat that hits and the line that lingers. Gaga is the showstopper, the artist who treats every chorus like curtain time, and then raises the curtain again. It is a three way sprint with very different stride, and that is why it feels electric.
Fans have staked their corners. Some want a victory lap for a world tour that never seemed to end. Some want a crown for craft and message. Some want a torch lifted high for pure pop theater. The culture gets all of that in one room tonight, and the ballots will measure the mood.
What to watch for on the night
The performances will set the story. Watch for early placement. An opener that lands big can tilt the room. Pay attention to collaborations, the surprise guest who steps out of the dark, and the tributes that pull everyone to their feet. These moments shape how voters feel about lifetime arcs, not just this year’s hooks.
Red carpet signals matter too. A statement look can announce a new era in one frame. Designers chase this aisle all year. Artists know a single silhouette can mark a career chapter. Save your favorites early, the best fits walk before the first trophy.
You will also feel the global set. Spanish, English, and beyond will mix on the same chorus. Hip hop and pop will trade space with rock, R and B, and cross genre threads. The Grammys are at their best when the seams show, because that is where new sounds live. Tonight has that energy.
If you track the big four, listen for the breath before each envelope. When the room holds still, you learn what this year meant. A sweep writes a headline. A split vote writes a debate that lasts for years. Either way, the music wins, and your playlists update themselves by morning.
Final word
You now have the time, the stream, and the stakes. The main show hits at 8 pm ET, with the red carpet ramping two hours earlier. Queue the group chat, plate the snacks, and clear the coffee table. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Lady Gaga are about to define the night, and you will feel it from the first downbeat to the final bow. See you at showtime. 🎤🏆
