Submissions Open for 18th Headies Awards as Ceremony Moves to Toronto

Organisers of the Headies Awards have opened submissions for the 18th edition of the prestigious music awards, with this year’s ceremony set to hold in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026.

The announcement comes as the Headies celebrate a major milestone. According to the organisers, “This year’s event marks a historic 20-year milestone for the event, which debuted in 2006 as the Hip Hop World Awards to celebrate excellence in Nigerian and African music.”

In a significant development, the awards ceremony will be staged outside Nigeria once again. The organisers stated that “In a strategic move, the 18th Headies will take place in Toronto, Canada, on October 25, 2026. This marks the third time the prestigious Awards will be staged outside of Nigeria.”

The Headies also outlined the eligibility requirements for prospective entrants. “Only music projects (songs, EPs, albums, and music videos) released between August 1, 2024, and April 30, 2026, are eligible for consideration.”

Artists, record labels, producers, and other industry stakeholders have been invited to submit their entries through the official Headies website. The platform also contains the complete list of award categories and submission criteria.

The organisers noted that all entries must be submitted no later than Friday, July 31, 2026.