The 2026 International Dance Music Awards (IDMAs) have officially announced their nominees, spanning a wide array of categories including artists, genres, events, and media. This year's nominations feature many of the world’s most prominent DJs and the biggest songs from the past year. Leading the Artist of the Year category are Chris Lake, Fred again.., John Summit, Mau P, and Sara Landry, while Chloé Caillet, Jackie Hollander, Josh Baker, Kettama, and Ki/Ki are recognized in the Breakthrough Artist of the Year nominations.

In the Best Music Media Resource category, Billboard Dance received a nomination, joining other respected platforms such as 1001Tracklists, Beatportal, DJ Lovers Club, DJ Mag, Mixmag, and Resident Advisor. The nominees for these prestigious awards were selected through a thorough research and evaluation process conducted by the IDMA team in collaboration with members of the newly formed IDMA Advisory Board.

Winners for the 2026 IDMAs are scheduled to be announced on March 26 during a special reception hosted by IDMA and Bridges For Music, a nonprofit dedicated to youth music education. This event will take place at the Winter Music Conference (WMC) and will be open to all WMC badge holders.

This edition marks the return of the IDMAs since 2019, rekindling a legacy that began in 1985. The awards were originally launched during the inaugural years of WMC, establishing themselves as one of the first accolades solely dedicated to celebrating dance and electronic music, alongside the artists, labels, clubs, festivals, and media platforms that contribute to its vibrant culture.

The Best Album category includes nominations for Charlotte de Witte – “Charlotte de Witte”, Chris Lake – “Chemistry”, Ninajirachi – “I Love My Computer”, Sammy Virji – “Same Day Cleaning”, and Skrillex – “FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3”. For Best Song (Dance), the nominees are Anyma feat. Ellie Goulding – “Hypnotized”, Chris Lake & Amber Mark – “In My Head”, Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”, Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”, and Sammy Virji – “I Guess We’re Not The Same”.

Best Song (Electronic) nominees are Amelie Lens & Charlotte de Witte – “One Mind”, Barry Can’t Swim – “About To Begin”, Four Tet – “Into Dust”, Mau P – “Like I Like It”, Skrillex – “Voltage”, and Soulwax – “All Systems Are Lying”. The Best Remix category features Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone (MPH Remix)”, Chrystal – “The Days (Notion Remix)”, Cloonee, Young M.A, InntRaw – “Stephanie (HNTR Remix)”, Empire Of The Sun – “Walking On A Dream (BLOND:ISH Extended Remix)”, and The Chemical Brothers – “Galvanize (Chris Lake Extended Mix)”.

In the Best Label category, nominations include Anjunabeats, Black Book, Defected, Drumcode, Experts Only, Insomniac, and Toolroom. Best Festival/Event nominees are Burning Man (U.S.), Coachella (U.S.), Creamfields (U.K.), Dekmantel (Netherlands), EDC Las Vegas (U.S.), Tomorrowland (Belgium), and Ultra Music Festival (U.S.).

For Best Club, the nominees are Amnesia (Ibiza), Drumsheds (UK), Echostage (D.C.), Hï (Ibiza), Space (Miami), UNVRS (Ibiza), and Ushuaïa (Ibiza). Best Event Series nominations go to Breakaway, Circoloco, Defected, Elrow, Experts Only, Music On, and RESISTANCE.

Best Radio Show/Podcast nominees include A State of Trance (Armin van Buuren), BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, CLUBLIFE (Tiësto), Drumcode Radio Live (Adam Beyer), Group Therapy Radio (Above & Beyond), Heldeep Radio (Oliver Heldens), and Toolroom Radio. These categories highlight the diverse platforms that support and disseminate dance and electronic music globally.

Genre-specific artist nominations are also prominent. Dance Artist of the Year contenders are Chris Lake, Dom Dolla, John Summit, Mau P, and Oliver Heldens. For Techno Artist of the Year, the nominees are Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, Eli Brown, Indira Paganotto, and Sara Landry.

House Artist of the Year nominations feature Chloé Caillet, Franky Rizardo, Hot Since 82, Jonas Blue, and Max Dean. Melodic House/Techno Artist of the Year nominees include Anyma, Cassian, Layton Giordani, Miss Monique, and RÜFÜS DU SOL. Progressive House Artist of the Year sees Christoph, Eric Prydz, John Digweed, Sasha, Sebastien Leger, and Yotto as nominees.

Tech House Artist of the Year nominees are Josh Baker, Max Styler, Odd Mob, Pawsa, and Prospa. Afro House Artist of the Year features Adam Port, Alex Wann, Hugel, Rampa, and Vanco. Trance Artist of the Year nominations go to Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, and Marlon Hoffstadt.

Finally, Bass Artist of the Year nominees are Excision, GRiZ, Illenium, Subtronics, Sullivan King, and Zeds Dead. Drum & Bass Artist of the Year contenders include Andy C, Chase & Status, Dimension, Hedex, and Sub Focus, reflecting the broad spectrum of talent recognized by the IDMAs.