We will be looking into all our genre categories and the voters associated with them and making sure they are balanced, like we do every year. Reviewing genre categories annually remains an important part of this process, while leaving open the possibility that country music could return to the overall spotlight in the coming years. For 2026, the Academy implemented structural changes to country categories, renaming Best Country Album to Best Contemporary Country Album and introducing Best Traditional Country Album. Nominees for Best Contemporary Country Album include Kelsea Ballerini, Tyler Childers, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, and Miranda Lambert. Best Traditional Country Album nominees include Charley Crockett, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson, Margo Price, and Zach Top.