The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists have been unveiled, with Mexican superstar Peso Pluma dominating the nominations with an impressive 17 nods. This year’s slate of finalists underscores the continued global ascent of regional Mexican music and the diverse landscape of Latin music. The awards ceremony, a cornerstone event celebrating achievements in Latin music, is set to broadcast live on Telemundo on October 22nd, promising an evening of recognition and performance for the genre’s most impactful artists.

Peso Pluma’s extensive list of nominations spans several major categories, highlighting his multifaceted impact on the industry. He is a contender for Artist of the Year, a testament to his widespread popularity and influence. His critically acclaimed album DINASTÍA, a collaboration with Tito Double P, has earned a nomination for Top Latin Album of the Year, signaling its commercial and artistic success. Furthermore, his significant contributions to the regional Mexican genre have secured him a nomination for Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo. This comprehensive recognition solidifies Peso Pluma’s position as a leading force in contemporary Latin music.

Following closely behind Peso Pluma in the nomination count are fellow regional Mexican artists Tito Double P and Fuerza Regida. Tito Double P has garnered 15 nominations, underscoring his prolific output and successful collaborations, particularly with Peso Pluma. Fuerza Regida, another powerhouse in the regional Mexican scene, has secured 12 nominations, reflecting their consistent presence and impact on the charts. Among the female artists, Colombian global phenomenon Karol G leads with nine nominations, showcasing her enduring popularity and influence across various Latin music genres. Prince Royce follows with eight nominations, affirming his status as a consistent hitmaker in the tropical music realm, while Bad Bunny, a perennial chart-topper, has received seven nominations, indicating his continued relevance despite his fewer nominations this year compared to previous years.

A Celebration of Latin Music Diversity

The Billboard Latin Music Awards, now in its [Insert number of years the award has been running, e.g., 30th] year, continues to be a premier platform for recognizing excellence across a broad spectrum of Latin music genres. The 2026 ceremony will honor artists in 47 categories, encompassing Latin pop, tropical, Latin rhythm, and regional Mexican music. Beyond competitive categories, the event will also pay tribute to legendary figures and influential artists through prestigious honorary awards, including the Billboard Vanguard Award, Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award, and Billboard Spirit of Hope Award, acknowledging enduring contributions to the music industry and cultural landscape.

Peso Pluma’s Chart-Dominating Collaborations

Peso Pluma’s nominations are deeply intertwined with his highly successful collaborations, particularly with Tito Double P. Their joint efforts have yielded a significant number of nods, with four of Peso Pluma’s songs accumulating a combined nine nominations across key categories. Tracks such as "daño," "dopamina," "chiclona," and "7-3" are vying for accolades including Global 200 Latin Song of the Year, Hot Latin Song of the Year, Streaming Song of the Year, and Regional Mexican Song of the Year. This showcases the widespread appeal and chart performance of these infectious tracks, which have resonated with audiences globally.

Tito Double P’s individual nominations also reflect his significant role in the regional Mexican music scene. He is competing for Artist of the Year and Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Solo. Nine of his nominations stem directly from his collaborations with Peso Pluma. His track "daño" alone has earned five nominations, including coveted awards like Global 200 Latin Song of the Year and Hot Latin Song of the Year. The duo’s hit "dopamina" further adds to their collective success, securing two nominations: Hot Latin Song of the Year and Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event. This demonstrates a powerful creative synergy that has translated into significant chart success and industry recognition.

Fuerza Regida’s Continued Ascendancy

Fuerza Regida, a global phenomenon in the regional Mexican music space, is also a prominent finalist, earning nominations for Artist of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, and Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. Their song "Marlboro Rojo" is a contender in four categories, including Hot Latin Song of the Year and Streaming Song of the Year, highlighting its significant impact on listeners. Another of their tracks, "Cuando No Era Cantante," a collaboration featuring El Bogueto, Anuel AA, and Yung Beef, is nominated in two categories, including Global 200 Latin Song of the Year, underscoring their ability to connect with diverse fan bases through dynamic collaborations.

Karol G Leads the Female Contingent

Colombian superstar Karol G continues to assert her dominance in Latin music with nine nominations. Her nods include Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, and Latin Rhythm Artist of the Year, Solo. These nominations reflect her broad appeal and consistent performance across various metrics, from touring to chart success. Her song "Coleccionando Heridas," a collaboration with Marco Antonio Solís, is nominated for Latin Airplay Song of the Year and Latin Pop Song of the Year, demonstrating her versatility and ability to deliver hits across different subgenres.

Established Icons and Rising Stars

Bachata idol Prince Royce is recognized for his continued impact in the tropical music scene, with nominations in categories such as Tropical Artist of the Year, Solo and Top Tropical Album of the Year for his LP Better Late Than Never, a collaboration with Romeo Santos. Global icon Bad Bunny, who last year led the list of finalists with a record 27 nominations, is once again a significant contender this year, with nominations for Artist of the Year, Tour of the Year, Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, Hot Latin Songs Artist of the Year, Male, and Songwriter of the Year. His consistent presence across top categories reinforces his status as one of the most influential artists in contemporary music.

Other artists with multiple nominations include Romeo Santos and Rosalía, each with six nods, underscoring their sustained popularity and impact. Beéle, Herencia de Grandes, Los Dos De Tamaulipas, Omar Courtz, and Shakira each received five nominations, highlighting their significant contributions to the Latin music landscape. Junior H, Grupo Frontera, Rauw Alejandro, and Clave Especial are among the artists with four nominations, further demonstrating the depth and breadth of talent being recognized this year.

Methodology and Broadcast Details

The finalists and eventual winners of the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards are determined by the performance of new recordings on Billboard’s album and song charts. This evaluation period spans from September 13, 2025, to September 5, 2026, and is based on key fan interactions with music, including streaming data, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, and touring figures. These metrics are meticulously tracked by Billboard and its data partner, Luminate, ensuring that the awards reflect the most accurate and comprehensive picture of artist success.

The highly anticipated awards ceremony will be broadcast live from the James L. Knight Center in Miami. Viewers in the United States can tune in on Telemundo and Peacock on Thursday, October 22nd, at 8 p.m. ET. The ceremony will also be available on Universo and the Telemundo app. For audiences in Latin America and the Caribbean, the broadcast will be accessible through Telemundo Internacional, reaching viewers in over 22 countries.

Billboard Latin Music Week 2026

The Billboard Latin Music Awards 2026 will coincide with the return of Billboard Latin Music Week, a premier industry event that will take place in Miami Beach from October 19th to 22nd. This year’s week-long celebration promises a stellar program featuring a diverse lineup of artists, including Fuerza Regida, Greeicy, Jay Wheeler, Kany García, Maluma, Pitbull, Rawayana, Ryan Castro, Trueno, and Zhamira, among many others. Billboard Latin Music Week serves as a vital platform for industry professionals, artists, and fans to connect, share insights, and celebrate the vibrant culture of Latin music. Tickets for Latin Music Week 2026 are available for purchase via the official Billboard Latin Music Week website.

The extensive list of finalists for the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards reflects a dynamic and evolving musical landscape, with regional Mexican music continuing its global expansion and established artists demonstrating their enduring appeal. The upcoming ceremony promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the achievements and contributions of the artists who have shaped the sound of Latin music over the past year.