5 Things to Watch Ahead of the 2026 Latin GRAMMYs

On Thursday, Nov. 12, the biggest names in Latin music will come together at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 27th annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, celebrating a year that has once again shown just how much talent exists across our music.

But beyond the awards themselves, there’s plenty to talk about heading into the night.

For starters, the nominations reflect just how difficult it’s becoming to put the industry into one box. Artists like Karol G, Rosalía, CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, and Jorge Drexler are among this year’s leading nominees, representing vastly different sounds and approaches to making music. Meanwhile, producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera leads the pack with 10 nominations, adding another impressive chapter to a career that has helped shape some of the genre’s biggest records.

Then there are the performances. With everyone from Daddy Yankee and Karol G to Bad Gyal and Grupo Niche expected to take the stage, this year is already standing out with its star-studded performance roster. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned from previous years, it’s that some of the night’s most memorable moments have nothing to do with who takes home a trophy.

The established artists might drive the headlines, but it’s also worth keeping an eye out for the newcomers attending the show for the first time. Between legacy moments and standout performances, it seems like we’re in for a must-watch broadcast.

Here are five storylines we’re watching ahead of this year’s ceremony:

• Will Karol G Top Off Her BIG Year with a Standout Latin GRAMMY Night?

After the U.S. leg of her tour and making history as the headliner of Coachella, Karol G is heading into the ceremony with seven nominations, including Album of the Year for Tropicoqueta, making her— not surprisingly—one of the artists to watch. She is also up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Coleccionando Heridas,” her collaboration with Marco Antonio Solís. She’s also confirmed to perform, giving fans more of the high-voltage charisma she’s delivered on stages all year.

• A Performance Lineup Worth Watching

You never know what you’re going to get when it comes to performance lineups at music award shows, but we have to admit: this year’s lineup is a goodie. Daddy Yankee, Rosalía, Karol G, Juanes, Bad Gyal, Feid, and Grupo Niche are among the confirmed performers, making for a cross-generational bill that reads more like a festival headliner wish list than a standard broadcast. The ceremony will also pay tribute to the late salsa legend Willie Colón, with a special performance featuring his original 13-member band under the musical direction of Ennio Gatti.

• Best New Artist Could Be One of the Night’s Most Meaningful Wins

There’s something uniquely electric about Best New Artist, where a single win can alter an entire career trajectory. Some of the year’s field of 11 contenders, including maye, Macario Martínez, ARIA VEGA, and Zeca Veloso, have already taken the spotlight in Primeras Veces, the digital series created by the Academy and longtime official timepiece partner Bulova to showcase the nominees. Win or lose, every nominee walks away with something special: in true Latin GRAMMY tradition, Bulova gifts each contender a personalized, custom-engraved watch to commemorate a once-in-a-lifetime career milestone.

• Edgar Barrera Has a Chance to Add to His Already Impressive Legacy

Even if you don’t immediately recognize Edgar Barrera’s name, chances are you’ve heard his work. The Mexican-American songwriter and producer has helped create hits for some of Latin music’s biggest stars, and this year, he leads the Latin GRAMMY nominations with 10 nods. With 84 career nominations, Barrera has already established himself as one of the most recognized figures in Latin GRAMMY history, and this year’s ceremony could give him even more reasons to celebrate.

• Latin Music’s Legends Are Getting Their Flowers

While the Latin GRAMMYs celebrate the music of today, some of the most anticipated moments this year will honor the artists who helped make it possible. Along with the tribute to Willie Colón, the ceremony will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mexican singer-songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez’s birth, with Edgar Barrera serving as musical producer for the special performance. Daddy Yankee, who is also set to perform, is being recognized as the Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person of the Year.

Disclosure: The author of this article has a partnership with Bulova, an official partner of the Latin GRAMMY Awards. This article includes information about the brand’s partnership with the Latin Recording Academy.