The Latin pop icon will be honored for his more than three decades of music and enduring influence during the live awards show Thursday, October 22, on Telemundo and Peacock
Tickets to the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards are available through Ticketmaster
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Miami, FL – October 13, 2026 – Internationally acclaimed Mexican singer Cristian Castro will receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, recognizing an exceptional career spanning more than three decades and his enduring influence on Latin music. Castro will also take the stage for a special performance during the awards show, which will take place at the James L. Knight Center in Miami on Thursday, October 22, LIVE at 8 p.m. ET / 7C on Telemundo and Peacock. Hosted by Carmen Villalobos and Javier Poza, the event will also be available on Universo and the Telemundo app, as well as throughout Latin America and the Caribbean via Telemundo Internacional. Tickets to the event are available through Ticketmaster.
The Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an artist with an enduring and exceptional career whose work has expanded the reach of Latin music worldwide. The honor recognizes artists who remain relevant through their artistic and personal contributions, and whose influence has made a significant impact on Latin music around the world. Past recipients include Andrea Bocelli, Armando Manzanero, Carlos Santana, José José, Maná, Marco Antonio Solís, Ricardo Arjona and Roberto Carlos, among others.
“Receiving the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous honor and a very special moment in my career. Music has given me the privilege of connecting with audiences for more than three decades and knowing that these songs have become part of people’s lives means more to me than I can express. I’m deeply grateful to Billboard for this recognition and to the fans who have accompanied me throughout this journey. I look forward to celebrating with them on the Billboard Latin Music Awards stage,” said Cristian Castro.
Cristian Castro has established himself as one of the defining voices of Latin pop and romantic music. His history on the Billboard charts began in 1992, when “No Podrás” became his first entry on Hot Latin Songs, reaching No. 3. His debut album, Agua Nueva, reached No. 2 on Top Latin Pop Albums in January 1993. Since then, Castro has earned six No. 1s on Hot Latin Songs, including “Nunca Voy a Olvidarte,” “Amor” and “Azul,” which spent four, 11 and nine weeks at the top, respectively. Years later, Viva el Príncipe, his tribute to legendary Mexican singer José José, spent seven weeks at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums in 2011. With more than 12 million records sold, Cristian Castro continues to connect with audiences through his Nada Solo Éxitos tour, performing at major venues including Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional and New York’s Madison Square Garden.
The 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards will bring together the biggest names in Latin music for a night of unforgettable performances, collaborations and special honors. Along with Cristian Castro, other performers include Carlos Rivera, Chuyin, Elvis Crespo, Erick Brian, Fuerza Regida, Ha*Ash, Jessi Uribe, Kapo, La Nueva Ola de la Cumbia, Manuel Turizo, Melymel, Nanpa Básico, Nella, Ozuna, Pablo Alborán, Paola Jara, Pututi & Nesty, RIZA, SANTOS BRAVOS, Tito Double P, Víctor Manuelle, Xavi and Yahritza y Su Esencia.
For the latest news, exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access to the Billboard Latin Music Awards, follow:
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The Billboard Latin Music Awards serve as the grand finale of Billboard Latin Music Week, taking place in Miami October 19-22, 2026. The industry’s must-attend Latin music event features exclusive performances, one-of-a-kind conversations, workshops, showcases and unique fan experiences, culminating with the Billboard Latin Music Awards on October 22. Learn more and register at billboardlatinmusicweek.com.
The conversation around this year’s awards continues with Premios Billboard de la Música Latina: El Podcast, a six-episode live video series featuring digital content creators and special guests discussing the artists, performances and stories surrounding Latin music’s biggest night. New episodes stream live Thursdays at 6 p.m. ET / 5C on Telemundo’s YouTube channel, @TelemundoEntretenimiento.
BLMA FB/IG Post: More than three decades of music, hits and unforgettable songs. Cristian Castro will receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, recognizing his enduring influence on Latin music worldwide. The Latin pop icon will also take the stage for a special performance during the live awards show. The @LatinBillboards will be presented LIVE October 22 at 8 p.m. ET / 7C on @Telemundo and @Peacock from the James L. Knight Center in Miami. #PremiosBillboard2026 #BillboardLatinMusicAwards
BLMA X Post: @CristianCastro will receive the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 @LatinBillboards, honoring his 30+ year career and influence on Latin music worldwide. He will also perform LIVE Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. ET / 7C on @Telemundo & @Peacock. #PremiosBillboard2026
About Billboard Español
Billboard has been responsible for discovering, championing and regularly featuring Latin artists over the course of its 128-year history. As an innovator in the music industry, Billboard recognized a demand for unique in-language content made by our music and industry experts for fans in all Spanish-speaking countries around the globe. Launched in 2022, Billboard Español serves as the premiere in-language global destination for Latin music, offering unique and engaging content with a superior understanding of the Latin music industry and marketplace. Billboard Español also features exclusive video content of artists, many of whom will also be participating in Billboard Latin Music Week. Readers can also expect to find all Billboard charts, including Hot Latin Songs, Top Latin Albums and the Global 200 charts.
About MBS Special Events, Inc.:
MBS Special Events, Inc. is a leading production company specialized in the development, creation, and complete production of many of today’s most important televised live entertainment specials. Under the leadership of Executive Producer Mary Black Suarez, with 30 plus years’ experience spearheading such projects as the Billboard Latin Music Awards, Latin American Music Awards, Premio Lo Nuestro and the Billboard Regional Mexican Awards amongst many others, MBS Special Events is producing this edition of the Billboard Latin Music Awards. MBS Special Events is a driving force behind multiple projects with its signature high quality and industry leading services to continue to deliver the best televised special events to its broadcast partners and clients.
About NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises:
NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises leads the media industry in the production and distribution of Spanish-language content for U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world. The company serves U.S. Hispanics through its national broadcast network, the cable network Universo, and digital platforms including the Telemundo app, a suite of FAST channels, and streaming services, such as Peacock, among others. The Telemundo Network offers Spanish-language entertainment, news, and sports content reaching 96% of U.S. Hispanic TV households in 210 markets through 30 owned stations and 94 affiliate stations. Telemundo also owns an independent station serving Puerto Rico. Anchored on Telemundo Studios, the network is the #1 producer of scripted Spanish-language content in the U.S., and the only network to produce original content specifically for US Hispanic audiences. Offering over 600 hours of reality TV shows a year, and top-rated live specials such as the Billboard Latin Music Awards and Miss Universe, Telemundo is considered the undisputed Home of Live TV in Hispanic media. The network is also the exclusive Spanish-language home of the world’s two most popular sporting events, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises is a division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.
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Press Contacts
Santa Cruz Communications for Telemundo
Claudia Santa Cruz | 786-218-3009 | claudia@santacruzpr.com
Pepe Xicohtencatl | 714-397-5827 | pepe@santacruzpr.com
Cristian Castro
Lyda Bulla | bulla@labullapr.com
