The organisers of The Headies have postponed the 18th edition of the music awards to April 10 and 11, 2027, in Toronto, Canada, from its previously scheduled date of October 25, 2026.

In a statement published on its official website on October 10, the organisers said the change would allow them to expand activities in Nigeria and Canada ahead of the main ceremony.

“The road to the 18th Headies continues,” the statement read. “We’re expanding the programme in Nigeria and Canada ahead of our Toronto finale, now scheduled for April 10 and 11, 2027.”

The organisers said activities under the Road to The Headies programme would continue during the period originally scheduled for the awards. These activities will include workshops, seminars and industry engagements involving artistes, nominees and other stakeholders.

The revised programme will culminate in the awards ceremony and the Headies Global Trade & Investment Summit in Toronto. The summit is designed to connect African businesses, investors, government representatives and creative industry leaders with international markets and potential partners.

The organisers also confirmed that further details about the programme calendar, venues and participation would be announced through their official channels. They also apologised to guests who had already made travel arrangements for the original date.

“We recognise the inconvenience this change causes, particularly for guests who have committed time and resources to joining us in Toronto,” the statement said.

The 18th edition, themed “Africa to the World,” will be the awards’ third international edition in the United States or Canada, following the 15th and 16th editions held in Atlanta, Georgia. The 17th edition returned to Lagos in April 2025.

The postponement comes after the nominees for the 2026 awards were announced on August 25. Nigerian singer FOLA led the nominations with 10, followed by Wizkid and Omah Lay with seven each. Asake, Davido and Mavo received six nominations apiece.