57th GMA Dove Awards

57th Annual Dove Awards
57th Annual Dove Awards
Awarded for	Excellence in the Christian music industry
Date	October 7, 2026
Location	Bridgestone Arena; (Nashville, Tennessee)
Hosted by	Tauren Wells
Most nominations	Phil Wickham (9)
Website	doveawards.com
Television/radio coverage
Network	TBN

The 57th Annual Dove Awards will honor the best recordings, compositions, and musicians within the Christian music industry for the eligibility period of May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026, as chosen by the Gospel Music Association. The presentation ceremony is set to be held on October 7, 2026, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, and will be broadcast exclusively on TBN.^[1] It will be hosted by eight-time winner Tauren Wells, marking Wells' fourth consecutive year as host.^[2]

The nominees for the ceremony were announced on July 29, 2026. Phil Wickham held the most nominations, with nine, while CeCe Winans held the most nominations for a female artist, with seven.^[3]

Promotion

The date for the ceremony was announced in late 2025 subsequent to the conclusion to the prior award show;^[4] it was initially announced for October 6, 2026, but was later rescheduled to the following day.^[5] Tickets were made available for purchase beginning on December 15, 2025, and an exclusive presale became available on December 11.^[6]

The date of the nominee announcement was publicly released on July 24, 2026,^[7] and the nominees themselves were announced on July 29.^[8]^[9] The ceremony will be promoted with a headlining performance from Elevation Worship at the Ryman Auditorium on October 5.^[10]^[11]

Nominees

The nominees were announced on July 29, 2026.^[12]

General

Artist of the Year	Song of the Year
Brandon Lake CeCe Winans Josiah Queen Lauren Daigle Phil Wickham	"Can't Steal My Joy" – Josiah Queen and Brandon Lake "Come Jesus Come" – CeCe Winans "Dusty Bibles" – Josiah Queen "God I'm Just Grateful" – Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore "Homesick for Heaven" – Phil Wickham "I Know a Name" – Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake "Left It in the River" – Jamie MacDonald "Mighty Name of Jesus" – Hope Darst "No Fear" – Jon Reddick "What an Awesome God" – Phil Wickham
New Artist of the Year	Producer of the Year
Bodie Emerson Day Jamie MacDonald Megan Woods SEU Worship	Austin Davis Jacob Sooter Jeff Pardo Jonathan Smith Kyle Lee
Songwriter of the Year (Artist)	Songwriter of the Year (Non-Artist)
Brandon Lake Chandler Moore Chris Brown Josiah Queen Phil Wickham	Hank Bentley Jacob Sooter Jonathan Smith Steven Furtick Zac Lawson
Recorded Music Packaging of the Year	Long Form Music Video of the Year
Blameless – Jackie Hill Perry Honest Conversations – Katy Nichole Mt. Zion – Josiah Queen Real – Blessing Offor Reconstruction – Lecrae	Eterno Dios – Gateway Worship Español Just That Good – Passion Memorandum – Kristene DiMarco Sons of Sunday – Sons of Sunday The Resurrection of a King – Tommee Profitt
Short Form Music Video of the Year (Concept)	Short Form Music Video of the Year (Performance)
"Heaven on My Mind" – TobyMac "I've Got a Fire" – Pat Barrett "Raised By Wolves" – Franni Cash "Sevens" – Brandon Lake "World on Fire" – For King and Country and Taylor Hill	"Campaign" – KB "Far Country" – Ellie Holcomb "Have Your Way" – Katy Nichole "I Ain't Worried" – Jackie Hill Perry "Worthy of It All (Worthy)" – CeCe Winans

Rap/Hip Hop

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year	Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year
"Bless You" – Lecrae and Torey D'Shaun "Dave" – Hulvey "God Did II" – Rua Young and KB "Rob Hell" – Indie Tribe, Nobigdyl, and Torey D'Shaun featuring Jon Keith "Yes" – Steven Malcolm, For King & Country, and KB	Blameless – Jackie Hill Perry Could Be Tonight – Hulvey Fine by Me – Gio. Reconstruction – Lecrae Via Dolorosa – Miles Minnick

Rock/Contemporary

Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year	Ropck/Contemporary Album of the Year
"Eyes on Him" – Strings & Heart "Idols" – Stephen Stanley "No Survivors" – Jeremy Camp featuring Skillet "Sevens" – Brandon Lake "The Love I Have for You" – Colton Dixon	Asaph's Arrows II – Kings Kaleidoscope Lonely God – Fit for a King M Us Eum – Citizens Plastic Wine – Srings & Heart There Was a Light Here – Demon Hunter

Pop/Contemporary

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year	Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year
"Dusty Bibles" – Josiah Queen "Homesick for Heaven" – Phil Wickham "Left It in the River" – Jamie MacDonald "Let It Be a Hallelujah" – Lauren Daigle "Washed" – Elevation Rhythm	Counting My Blessings – Seph Schlueter Jamie MacDonald – Jamie MacDonald King of Hearts – Brandon Lake Mt. Zion – Josiah Queen Walk Through Fire – Ben Fuller

Inspirational

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
"Heal for You" – Lloyd Nicks "I Speak Jesus" – Karen Peck and New River "Make It Well" – MercyMe "Psalm 8" – Phil Wickham and Angel "The Blessing" – Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes, and Kari Jobe

Southern Gospel

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
"Deep Waters" – Triumphant Quartet "God Gives Good Answers" – Karen Peck and New River "Hard Trials Will Soon Be Over" – Gaither Vocal Band featuring Chris Blue and Gene McDonald "No Rock" – Jeff & Sheri Easter "The Church" – Joseph Habedank	Forever – Tribute Quartet Good Answers – Karen Peck and New River Steadfast Love – The Graguns Then Came the Morning – Gaither Vocal Band This Is the Time I Must Sing – The Martins

Country/Roots

Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year	Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year
"Black Sheep" – Ben Fuller "Broken Man Can" – Scotty Inman "Speaking Terms" – Ella Langley "Still Do" – Anne Wilson and Cole Swindell "The Jesus I Know Now" – Brandon Lake and Lainey Wilson	American Morning: Side A (EP) – Chosen Road Folk! – Rend Collective Full Grown Man, Vol. 1 (EP) – Josh Baldwin Soul Condition – Darin and Brooke Aldridge Stars – Anne Wilson

Bluegrass

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year
"A God Thing" – Chosen Road "Above the Clouds" – Eighteen Mile "Broken Angels" – The Grascals and Dolly Parton "Camel Train" – Becky Buller featuring Rickey Skaggs, Sharon White, and Cheryl White "I Am the One" – Jeff Tobert and Primitive Road

Contemporary Gospel

Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year
"Already Good (Tasha Slide)" – Tasha Cobbs Leonard "Imposter Syndrome" – Anthny "Jesus I Do" – Mariah Carey featuring The Clark Sisters "Still" – Jonathan McReynolds and Jamal Roberts "Sunday Morning" – Tauren Wells and Pastor Mike Jr.	Closer – Jonathan McReynolds Confetti and Conspiracies: The Amen Mixtape – Pastor Mike Jr. Diary Entry 1 (EP) – Anthny Only on the Road – Tye Tribbett Tasha – Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Traditional Gospel

Traditional Gospel Recorded Song of the Year	Traditional Gospel Album of the Year
"At the Cross" – CeCe Winans "Church" – Tasha Cobbs Leonard and John Legend "Love Never Fails" – The Choir Room and Fred Hammond "Promises" – Lisa Knowles and The Brown Singers "Your Name" – Jovonta Patton	Jekalyn x the Legends – Jekalyn Carr Love Never Fails – The Choir Room Revival – Lisa Knowles and The Brown Singers The Live Reunion – JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise Trowback: An Evening With John P. Kee Pt. 1 – John P. Kee

Gospel Worship

Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year	Gospel Worship Album of the Year
"Bless Your Name" – Maranda Curtis "More Than This" – CeCe Winans featuring Todd Dulaney "One Good God" – Jonathan McReynolds "Something's About to Shift" – Red Worship and Jonathan Stamper "Yahweh Flow" – Tye Tribbett featuring Jocelyn Bowman, D'nar Young, Jewell Jones, and Jalisa Faye	Greater – Todd Galberth Live at Redemption Church – Red Worship More Than This – CeCe Winans Promises: The Best of Todd Dulaney – Todd Dulaney Soundcheck – VaShawn Mitchell

Spanish Language

Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year	Spanish Language Album of the Year
"ABCD" – Daddy Yankee featuring Alex Zurdo "Christo" – Miel San Marcos, Josh Morales, and Luis Morales Jr. "Digno" – Nate Diaz featuring Aaron Moses and Israel Houghton "Necesito a Cristo" – Karen Espinosa "Tu Voz" – Sarai Rivera	Así Será – Elevation Español Coritos, Vol. 1 – Israel and New Breed Eterno Dios – Gateway Worship Español Lamento en Baile – Daddy Yankee Legado – Marcos Witt

Spanish Language Worship

Spanish Language Worship Recorded Song of the Year
"El Cel de to Casa" – Tomatulugar and Marcos Brunet "Mi Necesidad" – Cales Louima and Christine D'Clario "Salvavidas" – Su Presencia "Solo Hay Uno" – Joel Rocco and Enoc Parra "Victoria" – Averly Morillo

Worship

Worship Recorded Song of the Year	Worship Album of the Year
"God I'm Just Grateful" – Elevation Worship and Chandler Moore "How Good It Is" – Chris Tomlin "Mighty Name of Jesus" – Hope Darst and Josh Baldwin "What an Awesome God" – Phil Wickham "Worthy of It All (Worthy)" – CeCe Winans	A Forgiving God – SEU Worship Breathe on It – Tauren Wells So Be It – Elevation Worship Song of the Saints – Phil Wickham We Must Respond – Bethel Music

Children's/Musical/Choral Collection

Children's Recorded Song of the Year	Musical/Choral Collection of the Year
"El Amor de Dios" – Marilú y los Niños "Follow the Light" – Brandon Engman, Phil Wickham, and Angel "Lord Has Mercy" – Matthew West and The Dead Sea Squirrels "Strong and Courageous" – Gateway Worship featuring Josiah Gonzalez "This Is My Father's World" – The Getty Girls, Keith Getty, and Kristyn Getty	Big Night in a Small Town – Dave Clark Forrest Frank Favorites for Kids – Semsen Music A Child Is Born... All Is Well – Semsen Music The Name That Changed the World – Hillcrest Nashville We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo – Various Artists

Christmas/Special Event

Christmas Recorded Song of the Year	Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year
"God's Gift to Us" – Natalie Grant "Long Expected" – Brandon Heath and Francesca Battistelli "Our King Has Come" – Katy Nichole and Matt Maher "The First Noel" – CeCe Winans "We Three Kings" – We Are Messengers	Christmas – Natalie Grant Come Home for Christmas – Matthew West David – Various Artists I Can Only Imagine 2 Various Artists Rejoice! – We Are Messengers

Film/Television

Feature Film of the Year	Television Series of the Year
A Great Awakening – Joshua Enck David – Brent Dawes and Phil Cunningham I Can Only Imagine 2 – Andrew Erwin and Brent McCorkle Sarah's Oil – Cyrus Nowrasteh Soul on Fire – Sean McNamara	House of David – Jon Erwin The Chosen – Dallas Jenkins The Promised Land – Mitch Hudson The Wingfeather Saga – Daniel Haycox, John Sanfod, Keith Lango, Ron Smith, John Wall

References

↑ "JFH News: Gospel Music Association Announces Nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Jesus Freak Hideout. Sundari. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
↑ Cady, Maggie (July 29, 2026). "Dove Award nominees are in — is your favorite artist on the list?". Woman's World. Retrieved July 29, 2026 – via MSN.
↑ Williams, Lindsay (July 30, 2026). "Nominees for 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards Announced: Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and CeCe Winans Lead". K-Love. Retrieved July 31, 2026.
↑ "Christian Music's Biggest Night GMA Dove Awards Set 2026 Nashville Return". That Eric Alper. February 22, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
↑ "Save the Date: 2026 Dove Awards Nominees Revealed Next Week". Gospel Music Association. July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
↑ "GMA Dove Awards Return To Nashville's Bridgestone Arena For 2026 After Banner Year". Gospel Music Association. December 10, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
↑ "Save the Date: 2026 Dove Awards Nominees Revealed Next Week". Gospel Music Association. July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
↑ Cuen, Leigh (July 29, 2026). "Nashville artists dominate GMA Dove Awards nominations". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 29, 2026 – via MSN.
↑ Nicholson, Jessica (July 29, 2026). "Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans Lead 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
↑ "GMA Announces Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship at Ryman Auditorium Featuring Elevation Worship". Visit Music City. June 22, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
↑ "GMA Announces Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship at Ryman Auditorium Featuring Elevation Worship". Gospel Music Association. June 22, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
↑ "2026 Nominees". Gospel Music Association. July 29, 2026. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.

[1] "JFH News: Gospel Music Association Announces Nominees for the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards". Jesus Freak Hideout. Sundari. July 29, 2026. Retrieved July 31, 2026.

[2] Cady, Maggie (July 29, 2026). "Dove Award nominees are in — is your favorite artist on the list?". Woman's World. Retrieved July 29, 2026 – via MSN.

[3] Williams, Lindsay (July 30, 2026). "Nominees for 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards Announced: Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake and CeCe Winans Lead". K-Love. Retrieved July 31, 2026.

[4] "Christian Music's Biggest Night GMA Dove Awards Set 2026 Nashville Return". That Eric Alper. February 22, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.

[5] "Save the Date: 2026 Dove Awards Nominees Revealed Next Week". Gospel Music Association. July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.

[6] "GMA Dove Awards Return To Nashville's Bridgestone Arena For 2026 After Banner Year". Gospel Music Association. December 10, 2025. Retrieved July 28, 2026.

[7] "Save the Date: 2026 Dove Awards Nominees Revealed Next Week". Gospel Music Association. July 24, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.

[8] Cuen, Leigh (July 29, 2026). "Nashville artists dominate GMA Dove Awards nominations". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 29, 2026 – via MSN.

[9] Nicholson, Jessica (July 29, 2026). "Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake, CeCe Winans Lead 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards Nominees: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved July 29, 2026.

[10] "GMA Announces Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship at Ryman Auditorium Featuring Elevation Worship". Visit Music City. June 22, 2026. Retrieved July 28, 2026.

[11] "GMA Announces Dove Week 2026 Night of Worship at Ryman Auditorium Featuring Elevation Worship". Gospel Music Association. June 22, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.

[12] "2026 Nominees". Gospel Music Association. July 29, 2026. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved July 29, 2026.

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GMA Dove Awards
Major awards	Song of the Year Songwriter of the Year New Artist of the Year Vocalist of the Year Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year Worship Album of the Year
Years	1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
NOTE: The 1971 winners (except GMA Hall of Fame members) were nullified because of voting irregularities; no awards show was held in 1979, as the Gospel Music Association moved the awards show from September to April.