As we rock and roll into a new year, it’s time to start looking ahead to all the pop culture cornerstones that make up the different entertainment markets available to Sportsbet punters.
With that in mind, music fans, this one’s for you. The nominations are out for the 2026 Grammy Awards, and the markets are now live too!
Here at Sportsbet, we’ve got all the major categories covered, from Album of the Year to Best New Artist and everything in between.
So as a bunch of people set out to judge a completely subjective artform, we have set out to predict who they will favour and who they will shun. These are our 2026 Grammy Predictions.
Album of the Year Prediction
Nominations: DeNi TiRAR MaS FOtoS (Bad Bunny), SWAG (Justin Bieber), Man’s Best Friend (Sabrina Carpenter), Let God Sort Em Out (Clipse, Pusha T & Malice), MAYHEM (Lady Gaga), GNX (Kendrick Lamar), MUTT (Leon Thomas), CHROMAKOPIA (Tyler, The Creator).
The biggest and the best, Album of the Year is the Grammy everyone wants to win. As always, this category is stacked with some serious superstars, from Bieber to Sabrina.
However, there has been one man who has reigned supreme over the 12 months who we fancy to take down this trophy.
Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny simply had the music world in the palm of his hand in 2025.
His latest offering DeNi TiRAR MaS FOtoS was the most streamed album in the world, and he was the most streamed artist.
He swept the Latin version of the Grammys, winning Album of the Year there among a slew of other awards and is now set to headline the 2026 Superbowl. Winning here would simply be the cherry on top of a very, very large cake.
In English, the title of his record translates to “I Should Have Taken More Photos”, but he need not worry, we’re sure there'll be plenty of pics getting snapped if he does take home Album of the Year as predicted.
Prediction: DeNi TiRAR MaS FOtoS (Bad Bunny).
Song of the Year Prediction
Nominations: Abracadabra (Lady Gaga), Anxiety (Doechii), APT (ROSE & Bruno Mars), DtMF (Bad Bunny), Golden (HUNTR/X), Luther (Kendrick Lamar & SZA), Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter), WILDFLOWER (Billie Eilish).
When two absolute favourites of the Recording Academy team up like this, it’s hard to bet against them.
Kendrick Lamar has systematically swept the Grammys every time he releases an album and they’re awfully fond of SZA too.
Combined they have a total of 27 Grammy wins and we’re backing that to become 28 on February 1st.
Prediction: Luther (Kendrick Lamar with SZA).
Best New Artist Prediction
Nominations: Olivia Dean, KATSEYE, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren, Lola Young.
2025 was Olivia Dean’s year, there’s no doubt about it. Her album The Art of Loving and its lead single “Man I Need” took over the airwaves around the globe and the Recording Academy have clearly taken notice.
As well as being the favourite for the Best New Artist market, she is also currently the favourite to top Triple J’s Hottest 100.
Prediction: Olivia Dean.
Best Pop Vocal Album Prediction
Nominations: Mayhem (Lady Gaga), Man’ Best Friend (Sabrina Carpenter), SWAG (Justin Bieber), Something Beautiful (Miley Cyrus), I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy Part 2 (Teddy Swims).
Plenty of powerhouse pop vocalists to pick from here. They can all belt out a tune, but we think the Grammys will be going gaga for the lady that sings Mayhem.
Prediction: Mayhem (Lady Gaga).
Best Pop Solo Prediction
Nominations: Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter), The Subway (Chappell Roan), Disease (Lady Gaga), Messy (Lola Young), Daises (Justin Bieber).
As pop’s current “it” girl, it would be quite the shock to see Sabrina leave the 2026 Grammys empty handed.
Nominated in major categories such as Album and Song of the Year, Carpenter faces stiff competition in both.
Her path to Grammys glory is far more clear in the Best Pop Solo field, as the competition is a lot less stiff.
Prediction: Manchild (Sabrina Carpenter).
Grammy Awards 2026 Date and Details
Date: Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles.
Eligibility: Music released between August 31, 2024 and August 30, 2025.