Kirk Franklin will host the 41st annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, with the ceremony taped live at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 15 August 2026. Tasha Cobbs Leonard has been announced as recipient of the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, while Pastor Mike Jr. will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, both artists expressing gratitude in statements about their gospel music journeys and ministries.

John P. Kee and Kim Person lead this year's nominations with seven nods each, followed by Cobbs Leonard and JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise with six apiece. Performers set to appear include PJ Morton, Kierra Sheard, Tye Tribbett and John P. Kee among others. The show premieres on The Stellar Network on 29 August, makes its national cable debut on BET on 30 August, and airs on Bounce TV on 5 September, before broadcast syndication continues through late September; tickets are available via the Stellar Awards site and Ticketmaster as part of the wider Stellar Plus Experience running 12–15 August.