On an exceptional night that brought together a constellation of the brightest stars of art, sports, and media in the Arab world, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted the Joy Awards 2026 ceremony, held at the ANB Arena. This year's event was distinguished by fierce competition and a remarkable turnout, honoring a group of creative individuals who made a significant impact in their respective fields over the past year. The ceremony was part of the Riyadh Season, which continues to solidify the Kingdom's position as a global entertainment and cultural destination.
Music Awards: A strong comeback for Fadl Shaker and the brilliance of the new generation
The music category witnessed touching and historic moments, as the renowned Lebanese singer Fadel Shaker won the "Favorite Artist" award, reaffirming his enduring popularity and firmly established place in the hearts of Arab listeners despite the challenges. The Shaker family's joy wasn't limited to the father alone; it extended to the younger generation, as his son, Mohammed Fadel Shaker, was crowned "Favorite New Face" in the music category. Mohammed dedicated his award to his father in a touching gesture that resonated widely, while simultaneously announcing the happy news of a new baby boy, also named Fadel Shaker, adding a warm family atmosphere to the grand artistic event.
Sports and drama: Bono, Al-Khelaifi, and Karis Bashar lead the way
In the realm of sports, Moroccan football continued its impressive performance on the international and Arab stages, with world-class Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou being crowned "Favorite Athlete" in recognition of his illustrious career and consistent excellence. Meanwhile, in the realm of global sports management, Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain, received the "Diamond Entertainment Makers" award. He accepted the award from Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, in appreciation of his significant contributions to the sports and entertainment industry worldwide.
In the world of drama, Syrian talent made its presence felt with star Karis Bashar winning the “Favorite Actress” award in the series category, while the Egyptian series “Ashghal Shaka” won the “Favorite Egyptian Series” award, and the series “Salma” won the “Levantine Series” award, as the creators of the work went up to receive the award amid great celebration from the attendees.
Honoring cultural figures and enduring achievements
The Joy Awards ceremony also honored cultural figures who have enriched the Arab world for decades. In this context, former Egyptian Minister of Culture, artist Farouk Hosny, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his long career in serving culture and the visual arts, and his prominent role in strengthening Arab cultural ties.
The Joy Awards is one of the region's largest celebrations, with its awards primarily based on public voting, making it a true measure of the popularity of stars and artistic works. The success of the 2026 edition reflects the ongoing development of the Saudi entertainment sector and its ability to bring together such a vast array of creative talents under one roof, thus boosting the cultural and artistic movement in the Arab region as a whole.
