The International Dance Music Awards (IDMA) are officially returning to the Winter Music Conference (WMC) in 2026, marking a major reunion between two of electronic music’s longest-running institutions during Miami Music Week. With nominees now revealed across a wide range of artist and industry categories, voting by the newly formed IDMA Advisory Board is currently underway. Winners will be announced during a special Bridges For Music x IDMA reception at Winter Music Conference on March 26.
Originally launched in 1985 alongside the early years of Winter Music Conference, the International Dance Music Awards quickly became one of the first global honors dedicated exclusively to dance and electronic music. Over nearly four decades, the awards have recognized the artists, producers, labels, festivals, clubs, media outlets, and industry leaders who have helped shape the global evolution of electronic music. The 2026 edition represents both a homecoming and a renewed commitment to celebrating excellence across the full spectrum of the culture.
This year’s program includes a broad set of categories acknowledging both artistic achievement and industry impact. Major honors include Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Best Album, Best Song (Dance), Best Song (Electronic), Best Remix, Best Label, Best Festival/Event, Best Club, Best Event Series, Best Radio Show/Podcast, and Best Music Media Resource.
In addition to the industry-wide categories, the awards also spotlight genre leaders across the electronic music landscape. Dedicated artist categories recognize achievements in Dance, Techno, House, Melodic House/Techno, Progressive House, Tech House, Afro House, Trance, Bass, and Drum & Bass, reflecting the genre diversity and global influence that defines today’s dance music ecosystem.
Nominees were selected through a comprehensive evaluation process conducted by the IDMA team in collaboration with members of the IDMA Advisory Board. The selection process incorporated research across leading electronic music publications and industry media, chart performance and streaming data, major festival lineups, touring activity, and other indicators of cultural and commercial impact within the global dance music landscape. Advisory Board members were also invited to submit write-in nominations, helping ensure the final ballot reflects both measurable success and informed industry perspective.
Final winners will be determined through voting by the IDMA Advisory Board, a panel composed of respected professionals from across the electronic music industry, including managers, agents, promoters, label executives, and other key voices shaping the business and culture of dance music worldwide. The peer-driven voting process reinforces the credibility of the awards by ensuring that honorees are recognized by industry professionals actively working within the field.
Winners across the major categories will be revealed during the Bridges For Music x IDMA reception at Winter Music Conference on March 26. The event will bring together artists, nominees, and industry leaders for an evening celebrating the achievements of the global electronic music community.
The reception will be open to Winter Music Conference badge holders, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the International Dance Music Awards as part of the wider Miami Music Week industry gathering. Additional details surrounding the reception and award presentations are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
As electronic music continues to expand its global cultural and commercial influence, the return of the International Dance Music Awards signals a pivotal moment for the industry—honoring the genre’s legacy while recognizing the artists and organizations shaping its future.
2026 IDMA Nominees
Industry Categories
Artist of the Year
Chris Lake
Fred again..
John Summit
Mau P
Sara Landry
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Chloé Caillet
Jackie Hollander
Josh Baker
Kettama
Ki/Ki
Best Album
Charlotte de Witte – Charlotte de Witte
Chris Lake – Chemistry
Ninajirachi – I Love My Computer
Sammy Virji – Same Day Cleaning
Skrillex – FCK U SKRILLEX YOU THINK UR ANDY WARHOL BUT UR NOT!! <3
Best Song (Dance)
Anyma feat. Ellie Goulding – “Hypnotized”
Chris Lake & Amber Mark – “In My Head”
Disco Lines & Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
Fred again.., Skepta & PlaqueBoyMax – “Victory Lap”
Sammy Virji – “I Guess We’re Not The Same”
Best Song (Electronic)
Amelie Lens & Charlotte de Witte – “One Mind”
Barry Can’t Swim – “About To Begin”
Four Tet – “Into Dust”
Mau P – “Like I Like It”
Skrillex – “Voltage”
Soulwax – “All Systems Are Lying”
Best Remix
Calvin Harris – “I’m Not Alone (MPH Remix)”
Chrystal – “The Days (Notion Remix)”
Cloonee, Young M.A, InntRaw – “Stephanie (HNTR Remix)”
Empire Of The Sun – “Walking On A Dream (BLOND:ISH Extended Remix)”
The Chemical Brothers – “Galvanize (Chris Lake Extended Mix)”
Best Label
Anjunabeats
Black Book
Defected
Drumcode
Experts Only
Insomniac
Toolroom
Best Festival/Event
Burning Man (US)
Coachella (US)
Creamfields (UK)
Dekmantel (Netherlands)
EDC Las Vegas (US)
Tomorrowland (Belgium)
Ultra Music Festival (US)
Best Club
Amnesia (Ibiza)
Drumsheds (UK)
Echostage (D.C.)
Hï (Ibiza)
Space (Miami)
UNVRS (Ibiza)
Ushuaïa (Ibiza)
Best Event Series
Breakaway
Circoloco
Defected
Elrow
Experts Only
Music On
RESISTANCE
Best Radio Show/Podcast
A State of Trance (Armin van Buuren)
BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix
CLUBLIFE (Tiësto)
Drumcode Radio Live (Adam Beyer)
Group Therapy Radio (Above & Beyond)
Heldeep Radio (Oliver Heldens)
Toolroom Radio
Best Music Media Resource
1001Tracklists
Beatportal
Billboard Dance
DJ Lovers Club
DJ Mag
Mixmag
Resident Advisor
Artist Categories
Dance Artist of the Year
Chris Lake
Dom Dolla
John Summit
Mau P
Oliver Heldens
Techno Artist of the Year
Amelie Lens
Charlotte de Witte
Eli Brown
Indira Paganotto
Sara Landry
House Artist of the Year
Chloé Caillet
Franky Rizardo
Hot Since 82
Jonas Blue
Max Dean
Melodic House/Techno Artist of the Year
Anyma
Cassian
Layton Giordani
Miss Monique
RÜFÜS DU SOL
Progressive House Artist of the Year
Christoph
Eric Prydz
John Digweed
Sasha
Sebastien Leger
Yotto
Tech House Artist of the Year
Josh Baker
Max Styler
Odd Mob
Pawsa
Prospa
Afro House Artist of the Year
Adam Port
Alex Wann
Hugel
Rampa
Vanco
Trance Artist of the Year
Above & Beyond
Armin van Buuren
Ferry Corsten
Markus Schulz
Marlon Hoffstadt
Bass Artist of the Year
Excision
GRiZ
Illenium
Subtronics
Sullivan King
Zeds Dead
Drum & Bass Artist of the Year
Andy C
Chase & Status
Dimension
Hedex
Sub Focus