Cristian Castro will be honored with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard and Telemundo can announce Tuesday (Oct. 13). The Mexican pop icon will receive the accolade in recognition of an exceptional career spanning over three decades and his enduring influence on Latin music.
Castro will also take the stage for a special performance during the ceremony, which will air live on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. ET on Telemundo and Peacock from the James L. Knight Center in Miami.
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“Receiving the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award is a tremendous honor and a very special moment in my career,” Castro said in a statement. “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.”
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.
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, 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 City’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. In addition to Cristian Castro, Rubén Blades will receive the Billboard Icon Award, Rosalía the Billboard Hall of Fame Award, and Fuerza Regida the Billboard Vanguard Award.
Confirmed performers and presenters for the ceremony also include Carlos Rivera, Chuyin, Elvis Crespo, Erick Brian, 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.
In addition to airing live on Telemundo, the ceremony will be available on the Telemundo app, Peacock and Telemundo Internacional across Latin America and the Caribbean. Tickets for the event are available on Ticketmaster.
This year, Peso Pluma leads the list of finalists with 17 mentions, followed by Tito Double P with 15 and Fuerza Regida with 12. Karol G is a nine-time finalist, Prince Royce eight and Bad Bunny seven.
Produced by Telemundo and MBS Special Events, the 2026 Billboard Latin Music Awards coincide with Billboard Latin Music Week, which returns to Miami Beach Oct. 19-22 with a stellar lineup also including Greeicy, Jay Wheeler, Kany García, Maluma, Pitbull, Rawayana, Ryan Castro, Trueno, Zhamira and many more. For more information and tickets, visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com.