Full Breakdown
Oasis and Kendrick Lamar/SZA Shine at 2026 Pollstar Awards
4/17/2026, 12:01:57 PM
Major Winners of the Night
The 37th annual Pollstar Awards, held on April 15, 2026, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles, celebrated significant achievements in the live music industry. Oasis' "Oasis Live '25 Tour" was awarded Major Tour of the Year, highlighting the band's successful reunion tour. Other notable winners included Metallica for Rock Tour of the Year with their "M72 World Tour," Kendrick Lamar and SZA for Hip-Hop Tour of the Year with their "Grand National Tour," and The Weeknd for R&B Tour of the Year with "After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour."
In addition to these major categories, Benson Boone received the Pop Tour of the Year award for his "American Heart World Tour," while Bad Bunny was recognized for Latin Tour of the Year with "Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour." The Eagles' residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas was named Residency of the Year, and Adam Sandler took home the Comedy Tour of the Year award for "You’re My Best Friend Tour."
Venue and Festival Recognitions
The awards also honored various venues and festivals. The Sphere in Las Vegas was recognized as U.S. Arena of the Year, while Allegiant Stadium, also in Las Vegas, was named U.S. Stadium of the Year. The Austin City Limits Music Festival won Music Festival of the Year for events with over 30,000 attendees, and the Ohana Festival was awarded in the under-30,000 category.
Key Awards Summary
- Major Tour of the Year: Oasis, "Oasis Live '25 Tour"
- Rock Tour of the Year: Metallica, "M72 World Tour"
- Hip-Hop Tour of the Year: Kendrick Lamar/SZA, "Grand National Tour"
- R&B Tour of the Year: The Weeknd, "After Hours Til Dawn Stadium Tour"
- Residency of the Year: Eagles, Sphere, Las Vegas
Industry Recognition and New Honors
The Pollstar Awards are voted on by industry peers, with the exception of the newly introduced iHeartRadio Pollstar Fan Favorite Award for Live Performer of the Year, which was awarded to country artist Morgan Wallen. The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) was recognized as Booking Agency of the Year, further solidifying its influence in the music industry.
Criticism & Opposition
While the awards celebrated many achievements, some industry observers have raised concerns about the increasing commercialization of the awards and the potential overshadowing of smaller artists and venues. Critics argue that the focus on major tours and well-known acts may detract from recognizing emerging talent and grassroots efforts in the live music scene.
Verbatim Quotes
The Pollstar Awards continue to be a significant event in the live music industry, showcasing both established and emerging talent while sparking discussions about the future of live performances.
