iHeartRadio Music Awards Reveal Performers, Host And Special Award Recipients.

iHeartMedia and Fox Entertainment have revealed more details for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, including performers, host and special award honorees for the annual event celebrating the most-played artists on iHeartRadio stations.

This year’s show will feature performances by Alex Warren, Lainey Wilson, Ludacris and RAYE, along with a first-time collaborative performance from TLC, Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue. Ludacris will also serve as host of the ceremony, which airs live Thursday, March 26 from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles (8-10pm ET live / PT tape delayed) on Fox and across iHeartRadio stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio app.

In addition to hosting and performing, Ludacris will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Landmark Award, recognizing artists whose body of work has shaped culture over multiple decades. The rapper emerged as a mainstream force with his 2000 major-label debut album “Back for the First Time” and went on to release several multi-platinum projects, including “Word of Mouf,” “Chicken-n-Beer” and “The Red Light District.” Over his career he has won three Grammy Awards and expanded his cultural footprint through acting, including his long-running role as Tej Parker in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise. Ludacris has sold more than 17 million albums in the U.S. and 24 million worldwide.

“I’m excited to return as host of the iHeartRadio Music Awards to celebrate and perform alongside some of the best in the industry,” Ludacris said. “It’s going to be a night with special performances and surprise moments fans are going to love.”

Miley Cyrus will receive the 2026 iHeartRadio Innovator Award, which honors artists who have made a significant impact on music and global culture. Cyrus first rose to prominence nearly two decades ago through her role in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana” before evolving into a chart-topping pop artist known for her stylistic reinvention and outspoken artistic approach.

Beyond music, Cyrus has also been active in humanitarian work through the Miley Cyrus Foundation and the Happy Hippie initiative, which supports homeless and at-risk youth, particularly those facing housing insecurity. Past recipients of the Innovator Award include Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, U2, Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga.

Alex Warren will be recognized as the 2026 iHeartRadio Breakthrough Artist of the Year following a breakout year at radio. His success included record-setting chart performance, spending 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Mediabase Top 40 chart and 29 weeks atop the Hot AC chart. The award recognizes Warren’s rapid rise and growing influence with listeners through his emotional songwriting and expanding fanbase.

Now in its 13th year, the iHeartRadio Music Awards honors the most-played artists and songs across iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout the previous year while also spotlighting emerging music poised to break in the year ahead. The show will include multiple award presentations, live performances, surprise collaborations and artist tributes.

Among the artists receiving multiple nominations this year are Bad Bunny, Benson Boone, BLACKPINK, Chris Brown, Ed Sheeran, Ella Langley, GloRilla, Grupo Frontera, Jelly Roll, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots and Zara Larsson.

The awards will also once again feature several fan-voted categories, including Favorite Broadway Debut, Favorite TikTok Dance, Favorite Debut Album, Best Lyrics, Best Music Video, Favorite On Screen, Favorite Tour Photographer, Favorite Soundtrack, Favorite Tour Style, Favorite Tour Tradition and Favorite K-pop Collaboration. Voting closes March 19 at 11:59pm PT via iHeartRadio.com/awards.

Additional honors will include Label of the Year and Album of the Year awards across major music formats including pop, country, alternative, rock, dance, hip-hop, R&B, Latin and regional Mexican.