NRJ Music Awards 2026: Cannes residents can win tickets, plus a free concert the night before
The 28th ceremony takes place on Friday 23 October, live from the Palais des Festivals on TF1. The City of Cannes is giving away seats by lottery until 15 October, and a free 'Before' concert will be held at the Rotonde Lérins on 22 October.
Translated from the French original. Lire en français
The countdown is on on the Croisette. The 28th NRJ Music Awards ceremony will take place on Friday 23 October 2026 at 9:10pm, live from the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, on TF1 and NRJ. The ceremony, presented by TF1 and NRJ and produced by TF1 Production, will once again be hosted by Nikos Aliagas, according to TF1's official press release issued in February.
Public enthusiasm shows no sign of fading: more than 3.25 million votes have already been cast, according to a TF1 press release reported this week. Voting has been open since 16 September on the nrj.fr website, in the NRJ app and on the TF1+ platform, and will remain open until noon on 23 October, the day of the ceremony itself.
French Song of the Year opens to votes from 1 October
New this year: the French Song of the Year category, traditionally voted on during the ceremony itself, has exceptionally been opened to the public since 1 October. The TF1 press release justifies the change by the success of the votes recorded since voting opened. The other categories' nominees have been known since mid-September, led by Aya Nakamura and David Guetta. On stage, Angèle, Bigflo & Oli, Charlotte Cardin, Eva, Orelsan and Tayc are among the first artists announced, with more names to be revealed before the ceremony.
A lottery reserved for Cannes residents
For locals, the City of Cannes is offering seats to attend the ceremony 'in person', as reported by local media outlet TBM06. The scheme is open to adult Cannes residents and to high-school students who live or study in Cannes. Registration takes place online on the City's website, until Thursday 15 October at noon, and the draw will be held on Friday 16 October at 3:30pm, overseen by a bailiff.
Cannes residents can also enjoy a free concert the night before: the 'Before NRJ Music Awards' will be held on Thursday 22 October at 8:30pm at the Rotonde Lérins. Invitations will be handed out on Saturday 17 October from 9am at the Salon Marianne of the Hôtel de Ville, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person present may leave with a maximum of two tickets, on presentation of an ID and proof of Cannes residence; minors must add a parental authorisation.
Launched in January 2000, the ceremony has become a major event on the music scene, bringing together France's and the world's biggest artists each year. More than 800 artists have already appeared on the steps of the Palais des Festivals and more than 420 talents have been celebrated, according to TF1. In 2025, the 27th edition drew an average of 3 million viewers, peaking at 3.9 million. This year the evening moves to 23 October, eight days earlier than the previous edition.
