The Live Music Awards take place on Wednesday, May 6 at the Bluma Appel Theatre as part of Departure 2026. Nominations close at 11:59pm on Friday, February 27.

• Portal Opens: February 2, 2026

• Portal Closes: February 27, 2026

• Any Canadian live music worker or organization may be nominated for a Live Music Award, unless otherwise specified for International recognition.

• Window of Nominee working year eligibility January 1, 2025-December 31, 2025, unless otherwise specified

• Winners cannot win the same (or a similar) award two years consecutively.

• Nominees must additionally meet the criteria and description pertinent to the award.

• All nominees must have executed their awarded activity in that year’s eligibility period, unless otherwise specified.

• Award recipients will be announced live at the awards show.

• Nominations may only be made by workers in the Canadian live music Industry. Nominations will be vetted accordingly.

• All nominations must be submitted using our online nomination form.

• Self nominations are not permitted. You may nominate multiple people and/or organizations in each category.

• Concert / Club Talent Buyer of the Year

• Festival Talent Buyer of the Year

• Manager of the Year

• Promoting Team of the Year

• Your Future Boss

• Music City of the Year

• Tour Manager of the Year

• A/V Supplier of the Year

• Production Manager of the Year

• Best Teamwork in a Small Club

• Best Teamwork in a Medium Club

• Best Teamwork in a Major Club

• Best Teamwork in an Arena

• Best Teamwork in a Large Arena or Stadium

• Best Teamwork in a Soft-Seat Theatre / Performing Arts Centre

• Small Festival of the Year

• Medium Festival of the Year

• Major Festival of the Year

• Live Performance of the Year

• Innovation in Live Music Award

• Sustainability in Live Award

• Philanthropic Live Event of the Year

• Brand x Music Program of the Year

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

(non-nomination/Voting categories)

• Global Impact in Live Music – Kevin Lyman

• Global Live Music Leadership Award

• Live Legacy Award

Participation in the Canadian Live Music Awards nomination and voting process constitutes acceptance of the following:

• Final Authority. All eligibility determinations, nomination vetting, category interpretation, vote validation, and award outcomes are determined by Departure and the Canadian Live Music Association in their sole discretion. All decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

• No Guarantee of Recognition. Submission of a nomination or participation in voting does not guarantee nomination, shortlisting, or receipt of an award.

• Voting Integrity. Departure and CLMA reserve the right to review, validate, adjust, or exclude votes where reasonably necessary to protect the integrity of the awards process, including in cases of inauthentic participation or vote manipulation.

• Confidentiality. Vote totals, rankings, and internal deliberations will not be disclosed. Only final nominees and award recipients will be publicly announced.