The 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards Are Heading to Charlotte!

By Gospel Newsroom powered by iPraiseRadio.com

CHARLOTTE, NC — Get ready, Queen City! The biggest night in Gospel music is officially making its way to North Carolina. City leaders and event organizers have announced that the 2026 Stellar Gospel Music Awards will be hosted in Charlotte, bringing the nation’s premier celebration of faith, music, and culture to the heart of the South.

The exciting partnership was unveiled during a press conference at the Charlotte Convention Center, featuring Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority CEO Steve Bagwell, Mayor Vi Lyles, City Council Member Malcolm Graham, and the visionary founder of the Stellar Awards, Don Jackson. To set the tone for what’s to come, the announcement event featured live performances by gospel powerhouse Jekalyn Carr and the legendary John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir.

A Historic Move to the Queen City

Scheduled for August 15, 2026, the Stellar Awards will transform Charlotte into the epicenter of Gospel music. The move highlights the city’s deep-rooted faith community and its rich ties to Black cultural expression.

“The Stellar Gospel Music Awards is one of the most influential celebrations in gospel music,” city leaders noted, emphasizing that hosting the event places Charlotte on a national stage while providing a significant boost to the local visitor economy.

Produced by Central City Productions, the Stellar Awards have been honoring the genre’s brightest stars since 1985. The 2026 ceremony will be nationally televised on networks including BET, Bounce TV, and the Stellar Network, reaching a combined audience of more than 3.6 million viewers, with millions more engaging across digital platforms.

The Visionary Behind the Stellars: Don Jackson

At the helm of this monumental event is Don Jackson, Founder, Chairman, CEO, and Executive Producer of the Stellar Awards. For over four decades, Jackson has been a trailblazer in Black television programming and a fierce advocate for Gospel music. Through Central City Productions, he created the Stellar Awards to ensure that Gospel artists received the mainstream recognition and high-quality production platforms they deserve. His dedication has helped elevate the genre globally, making the Stellars a highly anticipated annual tradition.

Calling All Artists: Submissions Are Open!

For artists, producers, and creatives looking to be part of Gospel music history, the time is now! The official submission period for the 2026 Stellar Awards is currently open.

Submission Details:

• Submission Window: March 2, 2026 – March 13, 2026
• Eligibility Period: Projects released between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2026.
• How to Submit: Visit the official website at www.stellarawards.com to review the updated rules and regulations and complete the online submission form.
• Requirement: All entrants (artists, songwriters, producers, directors, etc.) must be current members of the Stellar Awards Gospel Music Academy (SAGMA).

This year’s updated rules also feature exciting additions, including the reinstatement of the Special Event Album of the Year category and the addition of the HBCU Choir of the Year category.

Mark Your Calendars

As August approaches, fans can expect a week filled with Stellar Plus events, masterclasses, red-carpet glamour, and unforgettable performances leading up to the main taping.

Stay tuned to iPraiseRadio.com for all the latest updates, host announcements, and exclusive coverage as the road to the 2026 Stellar Awards in Charlotte begins!