After hosting its star-studded ARIA Hall of Fame event at Carriageworks in Sydney earlier this year, the ARIA Awards return in November for their 40th edition of celebrating Australian music.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) revealed that the 2026 ARIA Awards in partnership with Spotify will return to Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion for the sixth year running on Wednesday, 18 November.
While many members of the national music industry will be in the room for this year’s celebrations, the Awards also return to 10 and will be streamed live on Paramount+, offering viewers at home the chance to take in Australian music’s night of nights via free-to-air and streaming platforms.
The nominees for this year’s ARIA Awards will be announced on Thursday, 24 September, with performers and other celebrations to be announced soon.
The milestone 40th anniversary celebrations of the ARIA Awards launched in June with the ARIA Hall of Fame Special Event, when six Australian icons were inducted into the Hall of Fame. They were Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End and Vika & Linda.
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Spotify also returns for the second year as the ARIA Awards’ presenting partner. The streaming service will amplify the awards, enable in-app voting, and showcase a global campaign that gives nominees and winners visibility.
Last year’s awards showed the diversity and momentum of Australian music, with Amyl and the Sniffers and Ninajirachi taking home multiple major Awards. Other homegrown names celebrated throughout the evening included Dom Dolla, Troye Sivan, Tame Impala, Thelma Plum, BOY SODA, BARKAA, and Kasey Chambers.
In a statement, ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd discussed the ever-evolving Australian music industry and shared excitement for celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Awards.
“Australian music is electric, ever-evolving and has never failed to set the cultural conversation ablaze right around the world,” Herd said. “The ARIA Awards have had the best seat in the house for four decades of one incredible show. Whatever gets thrown at Aussie music, our artists find a way to cut through. Now is no exception.”
Herd continued, “Amyl and the Sniffers, The Kid LAROI, Ninajirachi, Dom Dolla and Troye Sivan are all proof of that, and there is a generation behind them who will take Australian music somewhere none of us can picture yet.
“That’s exactly what we can’t wait to celebrate at the 40th ARIA Awards: the icons who built these four decades, the superstars carrying Australian music today and the artists who will own the next forty years. I promise the team has thrown everything they have at making this milestone unforgettable; see you in November!”
The NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said the ARIA Awards have continuously championed Australian music for four decades.
“The ARIA Awards has championed and celebrated Australian music for four decades, with Sydney as the nation’s main stage for live music,” Kamper shared. “It’s only fitting then that the Hordern Pavilion, one of our most iconic live music venues, will host the 40th anniversary of the highest accolade in Australian music.
“The NSW Government has worked hard to create more opportunities for live music across NSW and provide a platform for artists, while also supporting venues, businesses and jobs that rely on our state’s visitor and night-time economy.
“I congratulate ARIA on 40 years of advocating for Australian music and thank them for sharing our values for a thriving live music scene in NSW.”
Spotify Managing Director AUNZ, Mikaela Lancaster, added that Australian talent runs deep. “Australia continues to produce some of the most exciting music in the world, and every year the ARIA Awards remind us just how deep the talent pool runs in this country,” Lancaster said.
“We're proud to be back as Presenting Partner, and our goal is to take the energy of the night and turn it into streams, fans and opportunities that follow these artists long after the trophies are handed out. Australian music is world-class, and we want to make sure audiences here and around the world know it."
Tamara Simoneau, VP Content, Paramount ANZ, shared pride for being the broadcast partners of the ARIA Awards.
“We’re really proud for 10 and Paramount+ to be the broadcast partners of the ARIA Awards, and to support the Australian music industry by celebrating the incredible breadth of talent we have in this country, as well as the brilliant work ARIA does to amplify our artists and their music,” Simoneau concluded.
“The ARIA Awards are the music industry’s biggest night of the year, and we want audiences across the country to be able to share in the celebrations, connect with their favourite acts and discover new favourites along the way.”
