Overview

• The Recording Academy split the former Best Country Album into Best Traditional Country Album and Best Contemporary Country Album to distinguish roots-oriented and modern country releases.
• A standalone Best Album Cover category has been introduced following the merger of Best Recording Package and Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.
• The country category overhaul was approved after several member-driven proposals and mirrors genre distinctions already in place for R&B and blues.
• Best New Artist eligibility has been expanded to include artists who were previously featured on Album of the Year–nominated projects if their contributions fall below a 20 percent playing time threshold.
• Nominations for the reconfigured categories will be announced on November 7, 2025, and the 68th Grammy Awards will be held February 1, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena with eligible releases from August 31, 2024, to August 30, 2025.