Looking Ahead: A Release Calendar of Upcoming Albums in 2026

Keeping track of all the upcoming releases from favorite artists can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. It’s not unusual for musicians to tease an album, then reveal a release date, only for the LP to be delayed for one reason or another (in some cases, multiple times), often without a new release date attached. Then there are albums that are announced mere days before they drop!

But we’ve got you! Though 2026 has not yet launched, musicians from across genres have already been teasing new projects and announcing album release dates for the new year. And like the last several trips around the sun, we’re keeping a calendar to keep track of all the notable releases of the year.

One of the most highly anticipated upcoming releases is Hilary Duff’s Luck…or Something — her first album in 10 years — which is expected in February. The singer-actress first announced her return to music in September, when she revealed a new label deal with Atlantic Records, as well as new music and a docuseries that will follow her musical comeback.

Think you know music?
Play Billboard’s Daily Crossword now!

BTS also gave its ARMY news to celebrate just days after the new year kicked off. On Jan. 4, the K-pop supergroup revealed that its highly anticipated next album — which comes after the members took a yearslong break as a group to complete mandatory duties for the South Korean military and focus on solo ventures — would be arriving in March.

Not to be outdone, fellow K-pop supergroup BLACKPINK also announced its own new music in early January, revealing that its third mini album, DEADLINE, would be arriving in February.

On the rock front, Megadeth broke fans’ hearts when Dave Mustaine announced — as alter ego Vic Rattlehead, of course — that the band’s final album was on its way, along with a global farewell tour. The album, which arrives in January, will also feature a bonus track with Metallica.

That’s just two of the big releases coming our way in 2026. Fans can also expect new projects from Nicki Minaj, ENHYPEN, Nick Jonas and many more! To help you stay on top of it all, we’ve organized this calendar chronologically by month and week, and have also included a section for albums that have been announced, but do not yet have a release date.

Keep checking back for the latest 2026 album release dates!