Bruno Mars to Perform at 2026 Grammy Awards

The Recording Academy has officially announced that Bruno Mars will take the stage at this Sunday's 68th Grammy Awards. The eight-time Grammy winner, famed for global smashes like "Uptown Funk," arrives with three nominations this year: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. All three nods are for "APT.," his collaboration with BLACKPINK's Rose, who is also slated to perform. Notably, the Academy revealed Mars and Rose separately, unlike the joint announcement for fellow collaborators Pharrell Williams and Clipse. This strategic move, according to industry analysts, strongly hints at a dedicated solo segment for Mars, potentially to debut new music—a common production tactic to build anticipation for surprise showcases.

Mars's performance aligns with the promotional cycle for his forthcoming album, "The Romantic," scheduled for release on February 27. The album's lead single, "I Just Might," is already available. He joins an extensive and eclectic performer roster that ranges from established superstars like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to emerging names such as KATSEYE and social media sensation Addison Rae. The ceremony will also feature several high-profile tribute segments, including an In Memoriam performance by Reba McEntire, Brandy Clark, and Lukas Nelson. A separate rock tribute to Ozzy Osbourne will see Post Malone joined by iconic musicians like Slash and Chad Smith, while Ms. Lauryn Hill will honor the legacies of D'Angelo and the late Roberta Flack.

Hosted for the sixth and final time by Trevor Noah, the ceremony is executive produced by Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, Jesse Collins, and Noah himself. It will air live on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Noah's tenure, which began in 2021, is widely seen as having brought a consistent, internationally-informed comedic voice to the event. As music critic Elena Rodriguez observed, "Noah's sharp wit and genuine appreciation for diverse musical genres helped modernize the Grammys' presentation. His departure creates a notable void for producers to fill next year." The show is produced by Fulwell Entertainment for the Recording Academy.

Prior to the main telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be streamed live from Los Angeles's Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT on live.Grammy.com. This pre-show is where the vast majority of the awards across all 94 categories are presented. It serves as a vital platform for genres—such as jazz, classical, and global music—that often receive less exposure during the primetime broadcast. The event typically includes performances from nominees across these diverse fields, offering a more comprehensive celebration of the year's musical output and acknowledging the industry's wide-ranging artistry.

Adding context, Bruno Mars—born Peter Gene Hernandez—has become one of the most decorated performers of his generation. His last studio album, 2021's "An Evening with Silk Sonic," a collaboration with Anderson .Paak, swept the 2022 Grammys, winning all four categories for which it was nominated, including Record and Song of the Year for "Leave the Door Open." His return to the Grammy stage as a solo performer is therefore a highly anticipated event, signaling a new chapter in his chart-dominating career.