Long awaited ARIA Awards have locked in their host for 2026 -

The ARIA Awards have locked in a surprise comedy duo for their 40th ceremony. Melanie Bracewell and Tim McDonald from The Cheap Seats are set to co-host the ARIA Awards’ 40th annual ceremony at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday, November 18. Bracewell and McDonald have hosted the Network 10 show since 2021, winning the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Entertainment Program in 2023 and returning for its sixth season this year. “Thrilled to host the ARIAs with my friend and colleague Tim McDonald. Hoping they didn’t book us for experience. The last awards ceremony I hosted was a raffle for a meat tray,” Bracewell said in an interview. “Australian music is the best in the world, so we are so excited and honoured to be hosting!” McDonald added. The ARIA Awards are in safe hands, with McDonald also confessing that he failed recorder in Grade 3. Where he lacks in musical ability , he makes up for it in humour. Alongside the main hosts will be Latifa Tee, Triple J presenter and DJ, who will join Network 10’s Georgie Tunny and Angela Bishop on the red carpet. Along with announcing the hosts, this year’s nominees were revealed, with Genesis Owusu and Tame Impala leading the field with eight nominations each. Ecca Vandal follows with seven nominations, while Baker Boy , BOY SODA , G Flip, Miss Kaninna and Ninajirachi are up for five awards each. DMA’s, Dom Dolla and Troye Sivan have four nominations each. The milestone 40th ARIA Awards will see winners across 29 different categories, with fans also voting for Best Australian Live Act, Song of the Year, Best Video and Most Popular International Artist. The ceremony follows the ARIA Hall of Fame event, which crowned Gurrumul, Jenny Morris, Kate Ceberano, Spiderbait, The Living End and Vika and Linda in June. The 2026 ARIA Awards will be live on Paramount+ from 5pm AEDT on November 18, before airing on Network 10. This should be a fun one.