Heavy Music Awards 2025 cancels in-person ceremony, reveals digital version

A major announcement concerning the 2025 installment of the Heavy Music Awards has been announced today.

The in-person ceremony, which was set to take place on August 21 at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, has been cancelled. A digital version of the ceremony will take place. More information about this version will be revealed soon.

A full statement reads:

After careful consideration, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the physical edition of the Heavy Music Awards 2025.

As many of you know, the HMAs are run by an incredibly small team, and right now one half of that team is undergoing intensive daily medical treatment for brain cancer. Combined with a number of unexpected roadblocks behind the scenes, we’ve had to face the reality that pushing ahead with a live show this year simply isn’t the right choice.

Instead, we’ll be shifting to a digital format for this year’s awards. We’ll be celebrating the winners online and across our platforms with the same passion and commitment to championing the global rock and metal community that has been at the heart of the HMAs since day one. We are also looking at other ways we can further celebrate our award winners, with more on that to come.

Most importantly, this year’s winners were chosen by the fans. That power, that voice, and that celebration still deserves to be heard loud and clear. That is exactly what we intend to deliver.

We’ll be in touch with all finalists, guests, and partners very shortly to confirm next steps.

This is not the end. It is a reset. When we return, we’ll do so stronger, sharper, and more determined than ever.

Thank you for your patience, your support, and your belief in what we’re building.

We’re incredibly grateful to have had you with us on this journey. Your support means everything, and we hope to return stronger (and healthier) in 2026.

More information about the Heavy Music Awards can be seen here.