The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees on April 13, 2026, including Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan in the Performer category class, along with Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte in the Early Influence Award category.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation announced its 2026 Inductees live on ABC and Disney+ by Ryan Seacrest and 2022 Inductee Lionel Richie during a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – themed episode of American Idol. The announcement spotlighted a standout group of artists whose impact has left a lasting mark on music and culture, and it kicked off the countdown to celebrate music’s highest honor.
The 2026 Induction Ceremony is set for Saturday, November 14, in Los Angeles, California, and will debut on ABC and Disney+ in December. The induction ceremony is in Los Angeles, not in Nashville, as had been rumored earlier this year. It was rumored that the event would be held on the campus of Belmont University in the Fisher Center.
Others in the Performer Category include Phil Collins, Oasis, Billy Idol, Joy Division / New Order, and Iron Maiden, along with the aforementioned Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu-Tang Clan. Inductees in the Early Influence Award category are Celia Cruz and Gram Parsons, along with the aforementioned Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, and MC Lyte,. Musical Excellence Awardees are Linda Creed, Arif Mardin, Jimmy Miller, and Rick Rubin. The Ahmet Ertegun Award designee is Ed Sullivan.
“Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor. We look forward to celebrating these remarkable artists at this year’s ceremony – it’s going to be an unforgettable night”, said John Sykes, Chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
To be eligible for induction, an individual artist or band must have released its first commercial recording at least 25 years prior to the year of nomination. Mariah Carey, New Edition and Lauren Hill were nominated but not selected this year, along with Pink and Shakira.
The Induction categories include Performers, artists who have created music whose originality, impact, and influence has changed the course of rock & roll; Early Influence Award, for artists whose music and performance style have directly influenced, inspired, and evolved rock & roll and music impacting culture; Musical Excellence Award, given to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence have had a dramatic impact on music; and the Ahmet Ertegun Award, for non-performing industry professionals who have had a major influence on the creative development and growth of rock & roll and music that has impacted culture.
The 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction will be recorded on Saturday, November 14th at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, and debut in December on ABC and Disney+. In 2027, the Induction Ceremony will return to Cleveland. Ticket on-sale information for the 2026 Induction Ceremony will be announced at a later date. Select Rock & Roll Hall of Fame donors and members receive exclusive Induction ticket opportunities. Donate or join by June 30, 2026, to be eligible. Visit rockhall.com/membership to learn more.
