Caribbean Music Awards Moves To T&T for 2026

The Caribbean Music Awards (CMA) will make history in 2026 by moving its annual ceremony from Brooklyn, New York, to Trinidad and Tobago, marking the first time the prestigious event will be staged in the Caribbean.

After three successful years at Brooklyn’s historic Kings Theatre, organizers announced that the fourth annual Caribbean Music Awards will be held in Port of Spain from September 18–20, expanding into a three-day celebration known as the Caribbean Music Awards Elite Weekend Experience.

The move represents a significant milestone for the awards, which were created to recognize and celebrate excellence in Caribbean music while showcasing the region’s global cultural influence. Organizers said bringing the event to Trinidad and Tobago reflects the awards’ continued growth and strengthens its connection to the birthplace of many of the genres it honors.

The weekend will feature more than the awards ceremony itself. Planned activities include a Welcome Reception, a Pre-Show Experience, a Red Carpet Celebration, the main awards show at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), official after-parties, and a Stars & Steel Pan Concert, offering visitors an immersive Caribbean entertainment experience.

Organizers also announced that Nailah Blackman and comedian Majah Hype will serve as hosts for the event. Additional performers, presenters and special guests are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Caribbean Music Awards honor achievements across a wide range of genres, including reggae, dancehall, soca, chutney, bouyon, kompa, zouk, gospel and reggae fusion. Since its launch, the event has attracted many of the region’s biggest stars while highlighting both established performers and emerging talent.

This year’s announcement follows the recent release of the 2026 Caribbean Music Awards nominees, featuring leading artistes from across the region, including Vybz Kartel, Shenseea, Lady Lava, Machel Montano and others competing in numerous categories.

Organizers said New York will always remain an important part of the awards’ history because of its vibrant Caribbean diaspora, but relocating the ceremony to Trinidad and Tobago opens an exciting new chapter by bringing the celebration directly to the region whose music and culture it was created to honor.

The decision has been welcomed by tourism and entertainment stakeholders, who expect the event to generate increased international exposure, attract visitors from across the Caribbean and the diaspora, and provide a significant boost to Trinidad and Tobago’s hospitality, cultural and creative industries.

As one of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing music events, the move to Trinidad and Tobago underscores the region’s growing influence on the global music scene and reinforces the Caribbean Music Awards’ mission of celebrating the artists, producers and creators who continue to shape its rich musical legacy.