Amy Poehler, Alex Cooper, Mel Robbins & More Nominated for 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards: Full List

The podcasting industry is ready for its biggest night of the year. Following a monumental start to 2026, iHeartMedia has officially unveiled the full list of nominees and special guest appearances for the 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards. The star-studded ceremony is scheduled to take place live from the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, on Monday, March 16, at 7 p.m. CT.

A Night of Celebration and Star Power

This year’s event promises to be a landmark occasion for audio creators. Comedian and actress Ego Nwodim, host of the popular Thanks Dad podcast, has been tapped to emcee the festivities. The show will feature a high-energy opening performance by actor and comedian Will Ferrell, with music provided by DJ Obscene. Holly Frey, the voice behind Stuff You Missed in History Class, will serve as the official winners correspondent, ensuring that the biggest moments of the night are captured in real-time.

Podcast of the Year: The Heavy Hitters

The most coveted title of the evening, Podcast of the Year, features a diverse and competitive field. Hot off her recent Golden Globe win, Amy Poehler leads the charge with Good Hang With Amy Poehler. She faces stiff competition from industry titans, including The Mel Robbins Podcast, Call Her Daddy, The Breakfast Club, and Pablo Torre Finds Out. Other notable nominees in this category include The Daily, The Rest Is History, This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von, Heavyweight, and Giggly Squad.

Honoring Audio Pioneers

Beyond the competitive categories, the iHeartPodcast Awards will recognize three individuals who have fundamentally altered the landscape of the medium through their Icon Awards:

Social Impact Award: Jay Shetty (On Purpose) for his profound influence on mental health discourse.
Audible Audio Pioneer Award: Terry Gross (Fresh Air With Terry Gross & Tonya Mosley) for her unparalleled contributions to the art of the interview.
Innovator Award: Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder) for his visionary approach to narrative storytelling.

How to Watch and Participate

Fans who want to be part of the excitement can tune in live and free on VEEPS. Additionally, the event will be broadcast on select iHeartMedia radio stations and via the iHeartRadio app. While a panel of industry experts determines most of the winners, the Podcast of the Year remains a fan-voted category. Listeners can cast their votes at the official awards website through February 22.

The ceremony at ACL Live at the Moody Theater represents the pinnacle of the podcasting calendar, bringing together the creators, executives, and fans who continue to drive this medium forward into new creative frontiers.