2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards: Group of the Year Nominees

Perennial favorite CAIN notches another Group of the Year nod on the strength of new music, including their latest radio single, “I Made It.” While working on what will be their third full-length studio project, the trio reprised their popular “Live and In Color Tour,” which visited 40 cities last fall. Moreover, the siblings recently joined Phil Wickham for a remixed version of “God Is Good,” appearing on the SoCal native’s deluxe edition of “Song Of The Saints.” Sure to give attendees a taste of their forthcoming record, CAIN is set to headline the Kickoff Concert at the 2026 K-LOVE Fan Awards Weekend. Their family devotional, “We’re So Blessed,” will also vie for Book Impact.

The past 12 months have seen rising duo Caleb & John play bucket list venues like Ryman Auditorium and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Currently supporting Megan Woods on tour, the two close friends earn their second Group of the Year entry courtesy of their upbeat original, “Finished,” the follow-up to their first No. 1 single, “Somebody Like Me,” featuring fellow nominee CAIN. Releasing a steady stream of singles, starting with 2023’s “Hallelujah Feeling,” the pair is gearing up for what will inevitably be their debut full-length studio album.

Elevation Rhythm released their third project just two days before the K-LOVE Fan Awards took place last year. Earning multiple nominations and a performance slot, thanks to the massive buzz surrounding their song, “Goodbye Yesterday (feat. Gracie Binion),” the youthful collective made their official K-LOVE Fan Awards debut in 2025. They return this year riding the momentum of energetic follow-up “Washed,” which is also nominated for Worship Song of the Year. In addition to recently headlining their own tour for the first time, the outfit has been an enduring part of the lineup for “Elevation Nights,” which also features sister collective Elevation Worship, as well as a message from pastor Steven Furtick.

Fans named Elevation Worship Group of the Year back in 2024. Their 2026 nomination arrives in the wake of their 18th album, “SO BE IT.” The live project features their GRAMMY®-nominated song, “I Know A Name,” with Brandon Lake, as well as their current radio climber, “Alleluia.” The tribal-inflected anthem is also up for Worship Song of the Year. Alongside sister collective and fellow nominee Elevation Rhythm, the outfit has been headlining the “Elevation Nights” tour in arenas nationwide. Another round of dates was recently announced for October, which will find Elevation Worship making stops in Kansas City, Birmingham and Dallas, among other markets.

This spring, for KING + COUNTRY has been in Ireland, shooting their upcoming movie, “Drummer Boy,” described as “a Revolutionary War action-musical.” At the same time, they’ve been teasing new music, including global hit “World On Fire (feat. Taylor Hill)” — which they live-premiered at the GMA Dove Awards — and a poignant duet with their wives entitled “Ever And Ever Before.” Additionally, last fall, the group’s Joel and Luke Smallbone unveiled “No Turning Back,” an unfiltered documentary that fleshed out their story beyond the narrative explored in their family’s award-winning film, “Unsung Hero.” The brothers’ fifth studio album is expected later this year.

Two-time Group of the Year winners MercyMe returned to the spotlight this year with a new album, a new tour and a new movie. Their 12th studio project, “Wonder & Awe,” dropped last August with lead single “Oh Death” giving them another No. 1 before the album even released. This spring, they helmed the “Wonder & Awe Tour” with direct support from Big Daddy Weave and special guests Tim Timmons and Sam Wesley. Their film, “I Can Only Imagine 2” — centered around their hit, “Even If” — premiered in February, inspiring their latest chart-topping selection: Song of the Year contender, “Make It Well.”

Making their first appearance in the Group of the Year category, Passion earns both this nod and a Worship Song of the Year entry for “The Lord Will Provide.” The longtime worship collective led more than 45,000 college students in praise at Arlington’s Globe Life Field at this year’s annual Passion Conference. Their album, “Just That Good,” followed, highlighting the best musical moments from the 2026 gathering. While the seasoned outfit started as the marquee band for the revered event, it’s gradually evolved into the sound of an entire generation. The group will join singer-songwriter TAYA and pastor Levi Lusko for a string of worship nights in select cities this June.

“Rescue Me,” We The Kingdom’s current radio single, returns the family band to the Group of the Year bracket. In addition to headlining a round of lauded acoustic dates, the multigenerational outfit supported Zach Williams on last fall’s “Revival Nights” trek. In 2026, We The Kingdom — comprised of Ed Cash, Scott Cash, Martin Cash and Andrew Bergthold — is poised to release not one, but two, projects of all-new material. The seven-track “Dear Jesus” bowed in January. Meanwhile, another seven songs will drop via “Everything I Thought Was Pleasure” June 12, 2026.