The 2026 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET on BET and several other networks
The 2026 BET Awards will feature some major stars!
On Wednesday, June 17, BET announced the first wave of performers — including Cardi B, Doechii and Queen Latifah — for the 2026 BET Awards later this month and revealed MC Lyte will return as announcer for culture’s biggest night.
Additional performers will include Common, Don Toliver, French Montana and Max B, Jill Scott, Kehlani, Rick Ross, Tems, T.I., the War and Treaty and kwn, while stars appearing at the ceremony will be announced soon.
“BET Awards has always been a celebration of the artists, visionaries, and cultural moments that shape our community and move culture forward,” said Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy at BET, in a statement.
“This year’s show brings together an extraordinary mix of legends, superstars, and emerging talent whose influence continues to resonate across generations,” added Orlando. “From powerful performances to historic tributes, we’re creating the kind of unforgettable moments that define the BET Awards. And we’re only getting started.”
Latifah’s performance at the BET Awards comes after she teased new music in an interview with PEOPLE last month. “You know, I got all this music at home, and I forget y’all haven’t heard it. I need to let somebody else hear it other than my friends,” she said at the time.
The “U.N.I.T.Y.” rapper noted that she “probably will drop some new music this year,” adding, “Get ready for the many genres that it will come out in.”
Nominations for the 2026 BET Awards were announced in May. Cardi led with six nominations, followed by Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist with five each.
Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean and Latto each received four nominations, while Scott, Kehlani, T.I., A$AP Rocky, Bruno Mars, Bryson Tiller, Chris Brown, Metro Boomin, SZA, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and YK Niece each scored three.
The 2026 BET Awards, hosted by Druski, will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28 at 8 p.m. ET on BET. The ceremony will be simulcast on BET HER, CMT, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon (NAN), Paramount, POP, VH1, Comedy Central and TV Land.
