Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026: Predicted Inductees, Biggest Snubs, and How to Vote

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 nominee slate became official overnight, and the Class of 2026 is already sparking heated fan debate. Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, INXS, Iron Maiden, P!NK, Shakira, Wu-Tang Clan and Mariah Carey headline a 15-artist ballot that mixes pop icons, hip-hop innovators and long-snubbed hard-rock heroes. Fans can cast daily votes on the Hall’s website through April, when the final inductee list will be revealed. Why this ballot matters • Long-awaited first-timers: Phil Collins is finally up for solo consideration after Genesis was enshrined in 2010, while Mariah Carey and Shakira appear the first year they were eligible under the 25-year release rule. • Metal momentum: Iron Maiden returns after multiple snubs, riding a fan petition that topped 200,000 signatures last summer. • Hip-hop’s 50-year echo: Wu-Tang Clan and Lauryn Hill give rap fans two genre-defining choices as the Hall continues widening its stylistic lens. • Fan-vote wild card: Since 2013, the top finisher on the public ballot has never failed to get in, making daily voting a genuine factor. Key dates and what’s next • April 2026 – Inductees announced live on “CBS Mornings,” followed by a streaming round-table with Hall CEO Greg Harris. • Autumn 2026 – 40th annual induction ceremony returns to Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, marking the first Ohio ceremony since 2021 and injecting an estimated $35 million into the local economy. • December 2026 – HBO/Max premieres the edited induction special, historically attracting 1.8 million U.S. viewers on debut. How the voting works Roughly 1,200 industry professionals, former inductees and historians each receive a ballot weighted equally with the aggregated online fan vote. Up to seven artists typically make the final cut. Voters weigh musical excellence, innovation, influence and career longevity—criteria that could favor genre-spanning performers like P!NK and crossover trailblazers such as Shakira. Early predictions Industry insiders point to Carey’s record 19 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s, Hill’s Grammy-sweeping “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” and Iron Maiden’s global touring machine as near-locks. Collins, famously snubbed in 2024, benefits from renewed critical appreciation of ’80s pop. Outsiders to watch include INXS, buoyed by a hit Disney+ documentary, and Billy Idol, whose Las Vegas residency just extended into 2027. Travel tips for fans Cleveland hotels near Public Square are already posting “Rock Hall 2026” packages; book early for the cheapest rates. The Hall’s permanent museum will mount a special exhibit featuring stage gear from every nominee, opening the week inductees are announced. Expect long lines for memorabilia photo-ops, especially Wu-Tang’s legendary “million-dollar” album motherboard. Bottom line With a lineup that spans metal riffs, hip-hop poetry and stadium-sized pop hooks, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2026 race promises one of the most eclectic—and competitive—classes in recent memory. Bookmark this page for updates as the fan vote evolves and final inductees are confirmed.