What are the US rules for chart-eligible pre-orders with early tracks?

These are the US Billboard/Luminate requirements for digital-album pre-orders with exclusive early tracks. The framework applies to albums released October 2, 2026 onward, with qualifying pre-orders on sale from September 25, 2026. UK campaigns follow the separate OCC framework.

One storefront, one variant

One storefront per album release can offer exclusive early track access, on one digital album variant. That variant counts as one of the four D2C exclusive variants allowed per release.

How many tracks can come early

Up to four tracks can come early, or no more than half the tracks on an album of eight songs or fewer. The cap covers exclusive early access and any pre-release tracks already wide on streaming together, so a single you released ahead of the album counts against it.

Exclusivity, display, pricing and format

Early tracks stay exclusive until release day. The release date and the tracklist must display at pre-order and lock for the duration of the pre-order. Tracklist here means either the exact list of songs or the total track count. The album cannot expand after purchase or release. Minimum pricing applies, and the offer attaches to digital albums only. You cannot combine it with a physical album purchase.

Approval timing

A new storefront URL goes for approval at least 14 days before offers go live, and stays active through the reporting period. A storefront that is already approved and live does not need re-approval, so campaigns on an existing STUDIO can move faster. The album is registered in advance with Luminate and Billboard.

What EVEN does with this

EVEN configures US campaigns within the Billboard/Luminate framework and handles its registration and reporting responsibilities. UK campaigns have their own early-track limit and require 14 days’ notice for every campaign, even on an existing storefront. Confirm the territory-specific offer with EVEN before announcing it.