2026 ARIA Awards Hosts Announced Ahead of 40th-Anniversary Ceremony
Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald have been announced as hosts for the 2026 ARIA Awards, Australia's biggest music night. The pair, who co-host the comedy panel show The Cheap Seats, will lead the milestone 40th annual ceremony at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion on 18 November. Organisers described them as a "natural fit" for the role, given their chemistry and the success of their show, which won the Logie Award for most outstanding entertainment programme in 2023.
Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala head this year's nominations with eight each, competing across major categories including Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist. The 40th anniversary year has been marked with special programming, including a Hall of Fame ceremony in June that inducted six artists. The ceremony will feature voting across 29 categories, with public participation on Best Australian Live Act, Song of the Year, Best Video and Most Popular International Artist, streaming live on Paramount+ from 5 p.m. AEDT on 18 November before airing on Network 10.
- The Cheap Seats duo will host the milestone 40th ARIA Awards on 18 November.
- Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala lead with eight nominations each.
- Public voting determines winners in four categories including Song of the Year.
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The ARIA Awards are Australia's premier music industry awards ceremony, celebrating the country's best recordings and artists across numerous categories. Held annually since the 1980s, the ARIAs are a significant night in the Australian music calendar and recognise both commercial success and artistic achievement.
This year's ceremony on 18 November marks the 40th anniversary of the awards. It will be hosted by Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald, who co-host the popular comedy panel show The Cheap Seats. The pair's on-air chemistry and the show's critical success, including a Logie Award win in 2023, made them organisers' choice for the milestone event.
The ceremony will feature voting across 29 categories, with some categories determined entirely by public vote. The event will stream live on Paramount+ before airing on free-to-air television Network 10 on 18 November evening, making it accessible to a wide Australian audience.