CCMA AWARDS OVERVIEW

The CCMA Awards are voted upon by the membership* in a three-stage ballot process, during the first of which, potential Candidates, who have released product within the eligibility period and meet the criteria outlined in the Rules & Regulations, are brought forward for consideration and nominated by the voting membership through a ‘write-in’ ballot. The Second Ballot presents the top ten eligible contenders, as verified by the Awards and Balloting Committee, who have received the most votes in each category to be voted upon for the Third (and final) Ballot, which contains the top five contenders in each category, who then become the final five nominees.

Click here to view the Rules & Regulations for the CCMA Awards Program.

Click here to view the Rules & Regulations for the CCMA Awards Program in French.

Should you have an idea for a potential new CCMA Award category, please contact Shaneice Anthony at [email protected]. Click here to review the CCMA Award Category Submission Form.

* Only CCMA Members who have renewed before May 1 may vote; this process does not apply to Fans’ Choice, Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year, and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year, all of which have their own unique selection process (see 2026 CCMA Awards Rules & Regulations for details).

AWARD CATEGORIES

ARTIST AWARDS (16 AWARDS)

• Entertainer of the Year (Award #1)
• Album of the Year (Award #2)
• Fans’ Choice (Award #3)
• Female Artist of the Year (Award #4)
• Francophone Artist of the Year (Award #5)
• Group or Duo of the Year (Award #6)
• Musical Collaboration of the Year (Award #7)
• Male Artist of the Year (Award #8)
• Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year (Award #9)
• Alternative Country Album of the Year (Award #10)
• Single of the Year (Award #11)
• Songwriter(s) of the Year (Award #12)
• Top Selling Album of the Year (Award #13)
• Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year (Award #14)
• Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year (Award #15)
• Video of the Year (Award #16)

MUSICIAN AWARDS (7 AWARDS)

• Bass Player of the Year (Award #17)
• Drummer of the Year (Award #18)
• Fiddle Player of the Year (Award #19)
• Guitar Player of the Year (Award #20)
• Keyboard Player of the Year (Award #21)
• Specialty Instrument Player of the Year (Award #22)
• Steel Guitar Player of the Year (Award #23)

RADIO AWARDS (2 AWARDS)

• Radio Station of the Year (Large Market) (Award #24)
• Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market) (Award #25)

INDUSTRY AWARDS (16 AWARDS)

• Booking Agency of the Year (Award #26)
• Country Club of the Year (Award #27)
• Country Festival, Fair or Exhibition of the Year (Award #28)
• Country Music Program, Special, or Digital Feature of the Year (Award #29)
• Country Personality(ies) of the Year (Award #30)
• Management Company of the Year (Award #31)
• Music Publishing Company of the Year (Award #32)
• Record Company of the Year (Award #33)
• Industry Person of the Year (Award #34)
• International Industry Person of the Year (Award #35)
• Creative Team or Designer of the Year (Award #36)
• Recording Studio of the Year (Award #37)
• Record Producer(s) of the Year (Award #38)
• Retailer or Commercial Platform of the Year (Award #39)
• Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year (Award #40)
• Innovative Campaign of the Year (Award #41)

KEY DATES

Eligibility Period:

The current eligibility period for the 2026 CCMA Awards Program is March 1, 2025, through to April 30, 2026, with the exception of Single of the Year, Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year, and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year, whose current eligibility periods are increased to January 1, 2025, through to April 30, 2026.

First Ballot & Submssions:
Opens Wednesday, May 6, 2026 10:00AM ET – Closes Wednesday, May 20, 2026 5:00PM ET

Second Ballot:
Opens Wednesday, June 17, 2026 10:00AM ET– Closes Thursday, July 2, 2026 5:00PM ET

Third and Final Ballot:
Opens Thursday, July 16, 2026 10:00AM ET– Closes Thursday, July 30, 2026 5:00PM ET

• Francophone Artist of the Year
• Songwriter(s) of the Year
• Video of the Year
• Record Producer(s) of the Year
• International Industry Person of the Year
• Creative Team and Designer of the Year
• Innovative Campaign of the Year