Headies 2026 postponed: Toronto ceremony moves to April 2027

The 18th Headies will no longer hold its ceremony in Toronto on Friday, 23 October. Organisers moved it to Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 April 2027, in a statement on the award’s official Instagram page on Saturday, 10 October, TheCable Lifestyle reported.

The reason given is growth, not trouble. “We’re expanding the programme in Nigeria and Canada ahead of our Toronto finale, now scheduled for April 10 and 11, 2027,” the organisers said.

The date had already shifted once, from the 25 October first announced in June to 23 October. The new date means Nigeria’s best-known music award will go roughly two years between ceremonies.

Why were the 18th Headies postponed?

The 18th Headies were postponed so the organisers could expand activities in Nigeria and Canada before the main ceremony, according to their statement as carried by TheCable, Leadership and TVC News. They said “Road to The Headies” events will still run during the original October window, with details to come on official channels.

They also apologised to guests who had booked travel: “To guests who have already made travel plans and other arrangements, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience.” The reports of the statement did not mention ticket refunds.

How did we get here?

The Headies, founded by Ayo Animashaun in 2006, have moved around a lot in recent years. From published reports:

• 2022 and 2023: the 15th and 16th editions are held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, TheCable reported.
• April 2025: the 17th edition returns to Lagos. Rema’s HEIS wins Afrobeats Album of the Year and Odumodublvck takes Next Rated, Channels TV reported on 28 April 2025.
• Monday, 15 June 2026: Animashaun tells a press briefing in Victoria Island, Lagos, that the 18th edition will be in Toronto, Canada, on 25 October, TheCable reported.
• 25 August 2026: nominations are announced, with Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, Rema, Tems and Ayra Starr among the big names, Arise News reported.
• By October 2026: the ceremony date is Friday, 23 October, TheCable Lifestyle reported.
• Saturday, 10 October 2026: the ceremony moves to 10 and 11 April 2027.

What does the new date mean for nominees?

The nominations announced in August stand. The organisers’ statement did not say the list would change. That puts a long wait on categories such as Afrobeats Album of the Year, where Davido’s 5ive, BNXN’s Captain, Omah Lay’s Clarity of Mind, Adekunle Gold’s Fuji, Wizkid’s Morayo and Burna Boy’s No Sign of Weakness are nominated, according to Arise News.

In numbers: if the ceremony goes ahead on 10 April 2027, it will come close to two years after the 17th edition in April 2025, and nearly eight months after the nominations were announced.

One nominee is busy this weekend. Ayra Starr, up for Best Female Artiste, headlines the NFL halftime show in London on Sunday, 11 October, the NFL has announced.

What happens next

The organisers said more details on the “Road to The Headies” events in Nigeria and Canada will come through the Headies’ official channels. The Toronto finale is now set for Saturday, 10 and Sunday, 11 April 2027. As of 8:45pm WAT on Saturday, 10 October, no venue name or ticket update had been published.

FAQ

When are the 2026 Headies now?
The 18th Headies ceremony has moved to 10 and 11 April 2027 in Toronto, Canada. It was due on 23 October 2026.

Why were the Headies postponed?
The organisers said they are expanding the programme in Nigeria and Canada before the Toronto finale.

Are the Headies still in Toronto?
Yes. The organisers’ statement calls the April 2027 ceremony the “Toronto finale”.

Which nominee are you backing for the big night in April? Tell us in the comments.

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