The 2026 Caribbean Music Awards is making its biggest move since its launch. After three successful years at Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre, the annual celebration of Caribbean music will head to Trinidad & Tobago for its fourth staging this September, marking the first time the prestigious event will be hosted in the Caribbean as organisers expand the ceremony into a three-day cultural experience. The fourth annual event will run from September 18 to 20, culminating with the awards ceremony on September 19 at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.
The landmark relocation was announced by Caribbean Elite Group, the organisation behind the awards, signalling a new chapter for one of the region’s fastest-growing music celebrations. Trinidadian soca star Nailah Blackman will co-host the ceremony alongside comedian Majah Hype, who returns for his fourth consecutive year as host. Beyond the awards show itself, fans can expect an expanded Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience featuring cultural events, an official afterparty and a special steelpan showcase presented by Stars and Steel. “To see it expand from Brooklyn’s Kings Theatre to Trinidad & Tobago is something special,” Majah Hype said, describing the move as a celebration of the Caribbean’s limitless talent and culture. Blackman also welcomed the opportunity to host on home soil, calling it “truly an honour” to celebrate the region’s artists in Trinidad.
The announcement comes during a standout year for Trinidad & Tobago’s music scene. Trinidadian dancehall star Lady Lava leads the 2026 nominations with nine nods across seven categories, while soca icon Machel Montano, Grenadian hitmaker V’ghn and Jamaican dancehall artiste Ayetian each earned seven nominations. The nominees also feature a diverse mix of global and Caribbean stars including Vybz Kartel, Tyla, Nicki Minaj, Bad Bunny, Shakira, Sting, Fridayy, Davido and Burna Boy, reflecting the growing international reach of Caribbean music.
This year’s ceremony also broadens its cultural footprint with more than 250 nominees competing across over 40 categories spanning reggae, dancehall, soca, calypso, gospel and R&B. New additions such as Dennery Artist of the Year, Zess Song of the Year, Konpa Song of the Year, Chutney Soca Artist and Song of the Year, Jab Artist and Song of the Year and French Caribbean Song of the Year highlight the awards’ continued commitment to recognising the full diversity of Caribbean music. Voting remains open until August 10, with organisers hoping the historic move to Trinidad will usher in an even bigger era for the Caribbean Music Awards and further elevate the region’s global influence.
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