The Music Moves Europe Awards 2026 present 15 outstanding artists from across Europe—representing innovation, diversity, and creative strength. We are thrilled to announce that among the nominees is Austria’s Sofie Royer! The nominations were announced on October 16 at the SoAlive Music Conference & Festival in Sofia.
The nominees are: Anna Lille (NO), Camille Yembe (BE), Carpetman (UA), Della (CY), DITTER (FR), Fine (DK), florence road (IE), Glazyhaze (IT), Lia Kali (ES), Lunikk (BG), Melina (GR), Might Delete Later (LV), Ray Lozano (DE), Sarah Julia (NL), and Sofie Royer (AT).
“The sound of Europe is bold, diverse, and full of creativity—and that’s exactly what the Music Moves Europe Awards celebrate. These 15 nominees represent exceptional artists who are shaping the future of our continent’s music. Congratulations! I’m proud that our Creative Europe programme supports initiatives like this, giving talented artists the visibility and recognition they deserve. It’s particularly exciting that this year’s announcement takes place in Sofia at the SoAlive Music Conference, connecting Europe’s regional talents with the global music scene.”
— Glenn Micallef, EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport
The European Union Prize
Supported by the Creative Europe programme, the Music Moves Europe Awards (MME Awards) are the EU’s prestigious prize honouring the most exciting emerging artists on the continent—those shaping the sound of Europe today and tomorrow. Aiming to foster international careers, the MME Awards have spotlighted some of Europe’s biggest breakthroughs over the past two decades, including Judeline, Zaho de Sagazan, Stromae, Alyona Alyona, ROSALÍA, Meduza, Dua Lipa, Sans Soucis, Hozier, and Christine and the Queens. Each winner embodies the diversity, creativity, and innovation of Europe’s vibrant music scene.
Public Choice Award
Music fans across Europe can now vote for the winner of the MME Public Choice Award 2026 at mmeawards.eu/vote — an opportunity to support their favourites and help shape the future of European music.
Awards Package
Winners are selected by an international jury including Jess Iszatt (BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing), Filip Košťálek (Colours of Ostrava), Kenza Naaïmi El Fezzazi (French-Moroccan journalist, Red Bulletin / FIP), Annika Walsh (Head of International Music Strategy, Spotify), and Judeline (winner of the MME Public Choice Award 2025).
All winners will be announced at the MME Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during ESNS in Groningen, the Netherlands. In total, seven prizes will be awarded: five MME Awards, one Grand Jury Prize, and one Public Choice Award. Each winner receives €10,000, with an additional €5,000 Green Touring Voucher for the Grand Jury Prize. The MME Public Choice Award 2026 comes with a €5,000 prize.
On Stage at ESNS
All 15 nominees will perform at ESNS, Europe’s leading showcase festival and music industry event in Groningen (NL). They will also take part in the MME Education Programme, offering insights and best practices from across the music industry. The programme is organised by ESNS and the Reeperbahn Festival, in collaboration with MME partners Liveurope, Yourope, Live DMA, IMPALA, Digital Music Europe, ICMP-CIEM, International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), and European Music Exporters Exchange (EMEE).
The MME Awards are a cornerstone of the European Union’s commitment to supporting and promoting the European music sector. By empowering both emerging artists and industry professionals, the awards foster a united, diverse, and dynamic European music landscape. Presented annually during the ESNS Showcase Festival & Conference in Groningen, they aim to accelerate the international careers of Europe’s most promising new musical talents.
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