The 2026 Managers To Watch list celebrates the leading executives behind the biggest breakout artists, songwriters and producers of the moment — all of whom have helped their talent navigate major milestones on and off the Billboard charts.
This year’s list includes managers for EJAE, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna (the singing voices of Kpop Demon Hunters trio HUNTR/X), managers for rock bands Goose and Geese and the manager for British breakout and best new artist Grammy nominee Olivia Dean — among many others.
On Monday night (Jan. 26), managers that made this year’s list as well as honorees from previous iterations were invited to kick off Grammys week in celebration of their achievements. Billboard‘s Managers To Watch party took place on the rooftop of the Santa Monica Proper in Santa Monica, Calif., complete with cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and a DJ.
Billboard partnered with Music Managers Forum-US — the leading trade association for artist managers in the U.S. — for the event. The nonprofit advocates for managers while providing education, resources and networking opportunities across the country.
Managers To Watch was sponsored by music finance and services platform Duetti. The evening included remarks from the company’s CEO and co-founder, Lior Tibon, who spoke about how across his experience in the industry he has realized how music managers are the driving force behind the business.
Billboard‘s Managers To Watch launched in 2022 and has celebrated managers who work with superstar talent across genres including Lainey Wilson, Noah Kahan, Tate McRae, Young Miko and Sabrina Carpenter.
Read Billboard‘s 2026 list here.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Leah Hodgkiss and Meghan Helsel at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Meghan Helsel, Leah Hodgkiss and Guests at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Paul Jefferies and Morgan Buckles at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Lior Tibon, Duetti CEO and co-founder, at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Eli Bieber (Disco Lines), Lyndsey Havens and Alexandre Lunt (Dasha) at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Lior Tibon, Angelo Sasso and Dana Droppo at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Christina Li, Haley Evans and Nick Guilmette at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Lyndsey Havens, Grace Segundo and Paula Park at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Guests at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Music Managers Forum-US president Neeta Ragoowansi and Ed Christman at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
Image Credit: Christopher Polk Pamela Bustios, Dan Rys, Lyndsey Havens, Christina Medina and Guests at Billboard’s Managers to Watch Party at Santa Monica Proper Hotel on Jan. 26, 2026 in Santa Monica, California.
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