The 2026 Emmys are upon us.
Television’s biggest celebration kicks off with the Creative Arts Emmys this weekend, honoring the best in artistic and technical achievement. Last year, The Studio dominated the competition with nine Creative Arts victories before adding four more at the Primetime ceremony, setting a new all-time record for comedy with 13 total wins. Which shows will claim bragging rights this year?
Remember, there are more Creative Arts categories than usual because the Television Academy moved the following five races over from the Primetime ceremony in an effort to “deliver a fresh new take on the Emmys broadcast”: Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actor, Best Limited/Movie Supporting Actress, Best Limited/Movie Directing, Best Limited/Movie Writing, and Best Variety Series Writing.
Here’s everything to know about the 2026 Creative Arts Emmy Awards, including the dates, presenters, how to watch, and top nominees.
THE DATES
The Creative Arts Emmys will be held over two consecutive nights — Sept. 5 (focusing mostly on unscripted) and Sept. 6 (focusing mostly on scripted) — at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. One week later, Mariska Hargitay will host the Primetime Emmys on Sept. 14. All three ceremonies will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
THE PRESENTERS
Presenters for Night 1 on Sept. 5 include: Nyesha Arrington (Top Chef), Brittany Broski (Royal Court), Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio (The Challenge), Sean Evans (Hot Ones), R’Bonney Gabriel (Project Runway), Bill Glass (Queenpins), Colin Hanks (Silo; Lucky Strike), Julianne Hough (Dancing With the Stars), Brianna LaPaglia (Plan Bri Uncut), Ariana Madix (Love Island USA), Heather McMahan (Absolutely Not), Julie Chen Moonves (Big Brother), Kareem Rahma (SubwayTakes), Lisa Rinna (The Traitors), Stassi Schroeder (House of Stassi), Wanda Sykes (The Upshaws), Chris “CT” Tamburello (Hunting Games), Jet Tila (Chef Grudge Match), Whitney Way Thore (My Big Fat Fabulous Life), and West Wilson (Summer House).
Presenters for Night 2 on Sept. 6 will be announced soon.
HOW TO WATCH
The Creative Arts Emmys do not air or stream live. However, Nights 1 and 2 will be edited into a single broadcast, the 78th Emmy Awards (Creative Arts), airing Sept. 12 on FXX at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will be available to stream on Hulu the next day.
THE TOP NOMINEES
Shows with the most Creative Arts nominations include Hacks (17), Beef (13), The Pitt (13), DTF St. Louis (12), Pluribus (12), Widow’s Bay (12), Spider-Noir (11), and Saturday Night Live (10). See the complete list of Emmy nominations in all categories.
THE CATEGORIES
The most talked-about races at the Creative Arts are typically those involving performances. This year, they include the fields of limited/movie supporting acting (moving over from Primetime Emmys), guest acting, reality host, narrator, and voice-over.
There are also contests for programs, animation, casting, choreography, cinematography, commercials, costumes, directing, hairstyling, lighting design, main titles, makeup, music, picture editing, production design, sound editing, sound mixing, stunts, technical direction, visual effects, and writing.
THE LEGACY AWARD
For the first time ever, the TV Academy is presenting a Legacy Award to a television program that’s made a profound and generational impact on audiences. The inaugural recipient is I Love Lucy, to be presented during Night 2 on Sept. 6. The Academy’s Board of Governors selected the Legacy Award honoree from candidates recommended by its Special Awards Committee.
