2026 American Music Awards Guide: Nominees, Performers & How to Watch
Everything you need to know about the 2026 American Music Awards, including the date, host, nominees, performers, and how to watch live.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: April 14, 2026
The 52nd Annual American Music Awards take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, May 25, 2026. The show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT. For more awards coverage, visit our Country Music News section. Queen Latifah will host the fan-voted event.
“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” said Latifah. “It’s been an incredible year for music and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
What are the AMA Awards?
Celebrating the year’s most iconic music, the American Music Awards is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, honoring today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases.
Created by legendary producer and visionary Dick Clark and first awarded in 1974, the American Music Awards is known for delivering half a century worth of iconic performances and enduring moments that have defined and shaped pop culture, as well as a history of introducing audiences to breakthrough artists.
Where Are the 2026 AMA Awards Taking Place?
The 2026 AMA Awards will happen at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the largest venue in the show’s history.
Who Is Performing at the 2026 AMA Awards?
Performers will be announced leading up to the show in May.
Who Is Presenting at the 2026 AMA Awards?
Across The Country will have your complete breakdown of all the presenters once they are announced. Presenters are typically revealed in the weeks leading up to the show.
Who Hosted the AMA Awards in Previous Years?
Diana Ross, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and Reba McEntire are just a few of the superstar acts that have previously hosted the ACM Awards.
2026 AMA Award Nominations
The 52nd American Music Awards nominees are based on key fan interactions, including streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and tour grosses. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and Luminate, the entertainment industry’s most trusted data partner, and cover the data tracking eligibility period of March 21, 2025 through March 26, 2026.
Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
BTS
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
KATSEYE
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
SOMBR
Album of the Year
Am I the Drama? - Cardi B
111xpantia - Fuerza Regida
SWAG - Justin Bieber
Mayhem - Lady Gaga
I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen
The Art of Loving - Olivia Dean
MUSIC - Playboi Carti
Man’s Best Friend - Sabrina Carpenter
So Close To What - Tate McRae
The Life of a Showgirl - Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
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
BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae – “What I Want”
PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
Shaboozey, Jelly Roll – “Amen”
Social Song of the Year of the Year
Disco Lines, Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
Tyla – “CHANEL”
Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”
Best Music Video
KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Tyla – “CHANEL”
Best Soundtrack
F1 The Album
Hazbin Hotel: Season Two
KPop Demon Hunters
Wicked: For Good
Charli xcx – Wuthering Heights
Tour of the Year
Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter Tour”
Kendrick Lamar, SZA – “Grand National Tour”
Lady Gaga – “The Mayhem Ball”
Oasis – “Oasis Live ‘25 Tour”
Shakira – “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour”
Breakout Tour
Benson Boone – “American Heart World Tour”
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
Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
SOMBR – I Barely Know Her
Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
Best Throwback Song
4 Non Blondes – “What’s Up”
Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”
Best Vocal Performance
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
SIENNA SPIRO – “Die on this Hill”
Song of the Summer
Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
BTS – “SWIM”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Harry Styles – “American Girls”
Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
Tame Impala, JENNIE – “Dracula”
Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor”
Best Male Country Artist
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Shaboozey
Best Female Country Artist
Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
Best Country Duo or Group
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Zac Brown Band
Breakthrough Country Artist
Sam Barber
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top
Best Country Song
BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Morgan Wallen – “Just In Case”
Russell Dickerson – “Happen To Me”
Shaboozey – “Good News”
Best Country Album
BigXthaPlug – I Hope You’re Happy
Megan Moroney – Cloud 9
Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem
Sam Barber – Restless Mind
Tucker Wetmore – What Not To
Best Americana/Folk Artist
Lord Huron
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons
Noah Kahan
Tyler Childers
How To Get Tickets to the AMA Awards
Tickets for the American Music Awards went on sale on March 27, 2026. Tickets are exclusively available through AXS.
2026 AMA Awards FAQ
When are the 2026 ACM Awards?
The 62nd Annual American Music Awards take place on Monday, May 25 2026, celebrating the biggest achievements in music from the past year.
What channel are the 2026 AMA Awards on?
The 2026 ACM Awards air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
Who has the most nominations at the 2026 AMA Awards?
Nominations are led by Taylor Swift with eight. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and SOMBR follow with seven each.
Who is hosting the 2026 AMA Awards?
Queen Latifah hosts the 2026 AMA Awards.
For more country music news and awards coverage, visit our Country Music News section.