The ARIA Awards are set to celebrate their landmark 40th anniversary in 2026 with a series of significant events, highlighted by the return of a special stand-alone Hall of Fame induction ceremony. This prestigious event, scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Carriageworks in Sydney, on Gadigal land, will honor six influential legends of Australian music. The labels body described it as a “landmark” occasion, recognizing “some of Australia’s most beloved and influential artists of the past 40 years.”

This format marks a notable return to the original annual ARIA Hall of Fame event, which was a cherished fixture on the music industry calendar. The stand-alone event was discontinued after 2010, when it last inducted John Williamson, Models, Johnny Young, The Loved Ones, and The Church. From 2011 onwards, the ARIA Hall of Fame was integrated and downsized into the annual ARIA Awards ceremony, typically inducting only one act per year. Notable inductees during this period include The Wiggles and Kylie Minogue (2011), Missy Higgins (2024), Jet (2023), the late Archie Roach (2020), Tina Arena (2015), Crowded House (2016), and You Am I (last year). The upcoming 2026 event aims to “shine a spotlight on artist excellence, legacy and cultural impact, bringing together icons, peers and fans to celebrate the best of Aussie music.”

In addition to the Hall of Fame celebration, the 40th annual ARIA Awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion. Spotify will serve as the headline sponsor for the second consecutive year, and the awards broadcast will be available on the free-to-air 10 network, streaming live on Paramount+. The ARIA Awards commenced its annual ceremony in 1987, established as a platform to celebrate local Australian talent and their global achievements. The Hall of Fame was inaugurated a year later, in 1988, with an iconic first class of inductees including Dame Joan Sutherland, Johnny O’Keefe, Slim Dusty, Col Joye, Vanda & Young, and AC/DC.

ARIA CEO Annabelle Herd emphasized the profound significance of this milestone, stating, “Reaching 40 years of the ARIA Awards is a powerful moment to reflect on just how deeply Australian music is woven into our story.” She added, “The 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame anniversary event gives us the chance to properly honor the artists, and industry figures whose work has shaped generations, while the 2026 ARIA Awards will continue that story by championing the next wave of Australian talent on an increasingly global stage. This milestone is about legacy but it’s also about backing where Australian music is going next. We can’t wait for what 2026 will bring.” Audience engagement for the 2025 ARIAs reportedly reached record highs, with nearly 700,000 fan votes cast through the ARIA website and Spotify, setting a promising precedent for the upcoming anniversary celebrations. Information and ticketing for the 2026 ARIA Hall of Fame event are available via registration.