The 41st Annual Stellar Awards Will Anoint Charlotte, NC
It’s been over 40 years since the inception of the premiere award show to recognize excellence in the Gospel Music industry, and there seems to be no signs of slowing down or stopping.
We stay that because Central City Productions announced the first wave of performers and special honorees for the 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, hosted by Kirk Franklin. Under this year’s theme, “Feels Like Home,” gospel music’s greatest night will bring together the genre’s most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for an unforgettable evening of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 15, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center. Tickets are available now at StellarAwards.com.
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will deliver an unforgettable night of music and celebration with an all-star lineup of performances from Aaron Cole, Childlike CiCi, Darrel Walls, Kierra Sheard, Jekalyn Carr, Jevon Dewand & The Trap Starz featuring Isaac Carree and Jazze Pha, JustCordell, John P. Kee, Le’Andria Johnson, Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers, Melvin Crispell III, PJ Morton, Tye Tribbett featuring ABLAZE, and Vincent Bohanan & SOV. Spanning traditional gospel, contemporary worship, choir music, and genre-blending collaborations, this year’s performance lineup reflects the depth, diversity, and continued evolution of gospel music while celebrating the artists who are inspiring audiences around the world through faith, excellence, and powerful musical ministry.
This year’s ceremony will also recognize two of gospel music’s most influential voices with special honors celebrating their extraordinary impact on the genre. Tasha Cobbs Leonard will be presented with the Aretha Franklin Icon Award, honoring her remarkable career, global influence, and powerful legacy as one of the most transformative worship leaders and recording artists of her generation.
Additionally, Pastor Mike Jr. will receive the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to gospel music, chart-topping success, and unwavering commitment to expanding the reach of the Gospel through innovation and ministry. Together, these prestigious honors celebrate two artists whose music, leadership, and faith continue to inspire millions around the world.
The Greatest Night in Gospel Music, The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards will premiere on The Stellar Network, available on Charter Spectrum and Verizon Fios, with the broadcast debuting on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore presentation at 10 p.m. EST (check your local provider for channel availability). The celebration will make its national cable premiere on BET on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET before expanding to audiences nationwide through broadcast television syndication from September 5 through September 27, 2026. In Charlotte, WBTV (CBS) will serve as the local television broadcast partner. Bounce TV will air the ceremony on Saturday, September 5 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
In addition to the main event, there’s the addition of the Stellar Plus Experience, which is a weekend string of events that will lead into the award ceremony. You can sign up for those events via Eventbrite.
You don’t have to just wait for the show to air, you can actually attend the ceremony itself! Tickets for the award show itself are available now by visiting Ticketmaster.
