The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its nominees for the class of 2026, featuring a diverse array of artists including Phil Collins, Sade, Oasis, Lauryn Hill, and Wu-Tang Clan. The list highlights both veteran acts and first-time eligible nominees. Inductees will be revealed in April, with the ceremony scheduled for the fall.
The nominations for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's class of 2026 were unveiled on February 25, 2026. The ballot includes 17 acts: the Black Crowes, Billy Idol, Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Mariah Carey, Melissa Etheridge, Iron Maiden, INXS, Joy Division/New Order, Lauryn Hill, Luther Vandross, New Edition, Oasis, P!nk, Sade, Shakira, and Wu-Tang Clan.
Eligibility requires an artist's first commercial recording to be at least 25 years old, meaning releases from 2001 or earlier qualify this year. Ten nominees—Jeff Buckley, Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Lauryn Hill, INXS, New Edition, P!nk, Shakira, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan—are appearing on the ballot for the first time, though they have been eligible previously. Mariah Carey, Iron Maiden, and Joy Division/New Order mark their third nominations, while the Black Crowes, Oasis, Sade, and Billy Idol are on their second.
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, stated, “This diverse list of talented nominees recognizes the ever-evolving faces and sounds of rock & roll and its continued impact on youth culture. Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is music’s highest honor, and we look forward to celebrating the class of 2026 this fall.”
Some nominees have expressed skepticism about the institution. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson called it “an utter and complete load of bollocks” in 2018, criticizing its leadership. Similarly, Oasis's Liam Gallagher told The Sunday Times in 2024, “Do me a favor and fuck off,” though he indicated he might attend if nominated, saying on X, “Obv go and say it’s the best thing EVER.”
A potential induction could facilitate reunions, such as Joy Division/New Order performing with former bassist Peter Hook, who left in 2007. Hook told Billboard in 2023, “It will be a difficult awards ceremony if we get there, but as my wife said, we’ve got to rise above these things … and be nice and be courteous and think the best.” The ceremony's location has not been announced.
For context, the 2025 inductees included Cyndi Lauper, Outkast, Salt-N-Pepa, and the White Stripes. Artists like Alicia Keys, the Strokes, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs became eligible this year but were not nominated.
