The Screen Actors Guild Awards, long known as the SAG Awards, will officially be renamed The Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA beginning with the March 1, 2026 ceremony.

The union announced the rebrand at a recent board meeting, explaining that the new name better matches the show’s iconic statuette, which has always been called “The Actor.” In a statement, SAG-AFTRA said the shift was a natural evolution that honors the award’s legacy while presenting a clearer identity for audiences.

While the name is changing, the ceremony itself will remain familiar. Submissions, nominations, and voting processes will continue as usual, and the event will still stream live on Netflix under the current multi-year partnership.

Industry insiders say the decision is part of a larger effort to strengthen the show’s global brand. The term “SAG” often confused international viewers unfamiliar with the guild, while “The Actor Awards” immediately communicates what the event celebrates. The move is also seen as a way to unify the organization’s identity around its most recognizable symbol—the bronze statuette.

Not everyone is ready to say goodbye to the old name. Some longtime members and fans feel that the SAG Awards label carries historical significance as one of Hollywood’s few peer-voted honors. Others worry that the transition could create temporary confusion during awards season when multiple guild ceremonies overlap.

SAG-AFTRA acknowledged that the shift will take time but emphasized that both names will remain valid in the short term. “We know people will still refer to it as the SAG Awards, and that’s perfectly fine,” the statement read. “What matters most is that we continue celebrating the craft and excellence of actors across film and television.”

The rebranding marks a new chapter for an event that has stood for three decades as a cornerstone of awards season, bridging the gap between the Golden Globes and the Oscars.