2026 American Music Awards: Performers, Winners & Nominees
See the 2026 American Music Awards performers, winners, nominees, country award results and more from the Las Vegas ceremony.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: April 14, 2026
Updated: September 7, 2026
The 2026 American Music Awards took place Monday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Queen Latifah hosted the 52nd American Music Awards, which aired live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
BTS won Artist of the Year, while KATSEYE was named New Artist of the Year. The show also featured performances from BTS, Hootie & the Blowfish, Keith Urban, Riley Green, KATSEYE, Twenty One Pilots and more.
The 2026 ceremony marked the second consecutive year that the American Music Awards were held on Memorial Day.
Who Performed at the 2026 American Music Awards?
If you're looking for who performed at the American Music Awards in 2026, the lineup included artists from country, pop, rock, Latin and K-pop.
The 2026 American Music Awards performers included:
BTS – “Hooligan”
Hootie & the Blowfish – “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You”
KATSEYE – “PINKY UP”
Keith Urban – “Summer Breeze”
Maluma – “Tu recuerdo”
New Kids on the Block – “You Got It (The Right Stuff)”
Riley Green – “Worst Way”
SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
Teddy Swims – “Mr. Know It All”
Teyana Taylor – “All Of Your Heart” and “Open Invite,” with a special appearance from Missy Elliott
The Pussycat Dolls – A medley featuring Busta Rhymes
Twenty One Pilots – “Drag Path”
KAROL G – “Ivonny Bonita”
Billy Idol – A medley that included “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself”
BTS opened the show, while Billy Idol performed after being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. KAROL G received the International Artist Award of Excellence and also performed during the broadcast.
Who Hosted the 2026 American Music Awards?
Queen Latifah hosted the 2026 American Music Awards.
It marked her return to hosting the AMAs more than 30 years after she previously served as a co-host in 1995.
Where Were the 2026 AMA Awards Held?
The 2026 American Music Awards were held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The venue was the largest in American Music Awards history.
2026 American Music Awards Winners and Nominees
Taylor Swift led the 2026 AMA nominations with eight. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and SOMBR followed with seven nominations each.
Nominees were determined using fan interactions that included streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and tour grosses during the eligibility period of March 21, 2025, through March 26, 2026.
Artist of the Year
Winner: BTS
Nominees:
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
Winner: KATSEYE
Nominees:
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
SOMBR
Album of the Year
Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
Nominees:
Cardi B – Am I the Drama?
Fuerza Regida – 111xpantia
Justin Bieber – SWAG
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
Playboi Carti – MUSIC
Tate McRae – So Close To What
Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl
Song of the Year
Winner: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI – “Golden”
Nominees:
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Kehlani – “Folded”
Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
SOMBR – “back to friends”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Collaboration of the Year
Winner: PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
Nominees:
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
David Guetta, Teddy Swims and Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae – “What I Want”
Shaboozey and Jelly Roll – “Amen”
Social Song of the Year
Winner: Tyla – “CHANEL”
Nominees:
Disco Lines and Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”
Best Music Video
Winner: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
Nominees:
ROSALÍA, Björk and Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Tyla – “CHANEL”
Best Soundtrack
Winner: KPop Demon Hunters
Nominees:
F1 The Album
Hazbin Hotel: Season Two
Wicked: For Good
Charli xcx – Wuthering Heights
Tour of the Year
Winner: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
Nominees:
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter Tour
Kendrick Lamar and SZA – Grand National Tour
Lady Gaga – The Mayhem Ball
Oasis – Oasis Live ’25 Tour
Breakout Tour
Winner: Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour
Nominees:
Kali Uchis – The Sincerely, Tour
The Marías – Submarine Tour
Megan Moroney – Am I Okay? Tour
Sleep Token – Even in Arcadia Tour
Breakthrough Album of the Year
Winner: Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
Nominees:
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
SOMBR – I Barely Know Her
Best Throwback Song
Winner: Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
Nominees:
4 Non Blondes – “What’s Up”
Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”
Best Vocal Performance
Winner: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI – “Golden”
Nominees:
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
SIENNA SPIRO – “Die on this Hill”
Song of the Summer
Winner: BTS – “SWIM”
Nominees:
Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Harry Styles – “American Girls”
Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
Tame Impala and JENNIE – “Dracula”
Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor”
2026 American Music Awards Country Winners and Nominees
Country music was represented throughout the 2026 AMAs, including performances from Keith Urban, Riley Green and Hootie & the Blowfish.
Ella Langley earned two country wins, while Morgan Wallen, Zac Brown Band, Sam Barber and Megan Moroney also took home AMA trophies.
Best Male Country Artist
Winner: Morgan Wallen
Nominees:
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Shaboozey
Best Female Country Artist
Winner: Ella Langley
Nominees:
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
Best Country Duo or Group
Winner: Zac Brown Band
Nominees:
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Breakthrough Country Artist
Winner: Sam Barber
Nominees:
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top
Best Country Song
Winner: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Nominees:
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
Morgan Wallen – “Just In Case”
Russell Dickerson – “Happen To Me”
Shaboozey – “Good News”
Best Country Album
Winner: Megan Moroney – Cloud 9
Nominees:
BigXthaPlug – I Hope You’re Happy
Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
Sam Barber – Restless Mind
Tucker Wetmore – What Not To
Best Americana/Folk Artist
Winner: Noah Kahan
Nominees:
Lord Huron
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons
Tyler Childers
Who Presented at the 2026 American Music Awards?
Presenters during the 2026 AMAs included:
Alysa Liu
Anthony Ramos
Busta Rhymes
EJAE
Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias
GloRilla
Hannah Berner
Hilary Duff
Jason Derulo
Jake Wood
John Legend
Leon Thomas
Linda Perry
Lisa Rinna
Ludacris
Mariah the Scientist
Matt Rife
Megan Stalter and Paul W. Downs
Melanie Martinez
Nikki Glaser
Paula Abdul
REI AMI
Riley Green
Russell Dickerson
Darius Rucker Honored at the 2026 American Music Awards
Darius Rucker received the Veterans Voice Award Presented by USAA’s Honor Through Action during the 2026 American Music Awards.
The honor recognized Rucker's longtime support of members of the military and veterans. His work has included support for the Military Warriors Support Foundation, USO tours and other events benefiting service members and veterans.
Rucker was also part of the show as Hootie & the Blowfish returned to the AMA stage.
Billy Idol Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Billy Idol received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 American Music Awards.
He also performed a medley of songs including “White Wedding,” “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing with Myself.” It marked Idol's first performance on the American Music Awards stage.
KAROL G Receives International Artist Award of Excellence
KAROL G received the International Artist Award of Excellence at the 2026 AMAs.
The award recognizes an artist whose music and cultural influence have reached audiences around the world. KAROL G also performed “Ivonny Bonita” during the ceremony.
What Are the American Music Awards?
The American Music Awards were first presented in 1974 after being created by Dick Clark.
Unlike many industry-voted awards, the AMAs are centered around fan voting. Nominees are determined using measurements including streaming, sales, radio airplay and touring activity, with fans ultimately voting in the award categories.
Can You Still Watch the 2026 American Music Awards?
The 2026 American Music Awards originally aired live on CBS.
The ceremony is available to stream on demand through Paramount+.
2026 American Music Awards FAQ
When were the 2026 American Music Awards?
The 52nd American Music Awards took place Monday, May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Who hosted the 2026 American Music Awards?
Queen Latifah hosted the 2026 AMAs. She previously co-hosted the American Music Awards in 1995.
Who performed at the 2026 American Music Awards?
The 2026 AMA performers included BTS, Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, The Pussycat Dolls, Twenty One Pilots, KAROL G and Billy Idol.
Who won Artist of the Year at the 2026 American Music Awards?
BTS won Artist of the Year at the 2026 American Music Awards.
Who had the most nominations at the 2026 American Music Awards?
Taylor Swift led the 2026 AMA nominations with eight. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and SOMBR each received seven.
Who won the country awards at the 2026 AMAs?
Morgan Wallen won Best Male Country Artist, Ella Langley won Best Female Country Artist and Best Country Song, Zac Brown Band won Best Country Duo or Group, Sam Barber won Breakthrough Country Artist, and Megan Moroney won Best Country Album.
What channel were the 2026 American Music Awards on?
The 2026 American Music Awards aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The show can now be streamed on demand through Paramount+.