Who Dominated the 2026 American Music Awards? BTS Shines Again!

Highlights from the 2026 American Music Awards

The 52nd American Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 26, 2026. This prestigious event celebrated the year's most popular artists, showcasing a variety of talents from K-pop sensations to Western stars. A unique feature of the AMAs is its fan-driven voting system, which allows audiences to cast their votes via the official website and social media platforms. BTS, the renowned K-pop group, clinched the coveted Artist of the Year award, alongside other notable winners like Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, and Cardi B. Despite being nominated eight times, Taylor Swift left empty-handed this year.

Top Winners of the AMAs 2026

BTS successfully repeated their Artist of the Year title from 2021, reaffirming their stronghold in the music industry. The group made a triumphant return after military service, also winning the Song of the Summer award for their hit track SWIM and being named Best Male K-Pop Artist.

Although Taylor Swift holds the record for the most AMAs wins ever, with a total of 40, she did not secure any awards this time despite her eight nominations. In a night filled with competition, KATSEYE was honored as New Artist of the Year, surpassing Sombr, who won for Best Rock/Alternative Song with Back to Friends and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her. The artists EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, known for their collaboration on Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters, took home the Song of the Year award.

Complete Winners List for AMAs 2026

Artist of the Year: BTS
New Artist of the Year: KATSEYE
Album of the Year: Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
Song of the Year: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
Collaboration of the Year: PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
Social Song of the Year: Tyla – “Chanel”
Best Music Video: KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
Best Soundtrack: “KPop Demon Hunters”
Tour of the Year: Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
Breakout Tour: Benson Boone – American Heart World Tour
Breakthrough Album of the Year: Zara Larsson – Midnight Sun
Best Throwback Song: Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
Best Vocal Performance: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
Song of the Summer: BTS – “Swim”

Best Male Pop Artist: Justin Bieber
Best Female Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Breakthrough Pop Artist: KATSEYE
Best Pop Song: The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
Best Pop Album: Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”

Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen
Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley
Best Country Duo or Group: Zac Brown Band
Breakthrough Country Artist: Sam Barber
Best Country Song: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – “Cloud 9”

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B
Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist: Monaleo
Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – “ErrTime”
Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – “Am I the Drama?”

Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars
Best Female R&B Artist: SZA
Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas
Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – “The Romantic”

Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny
Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira
Best Latin Duo or Group: Fuerza Regida
Breakthrough Latin Artist: Kapo
Best Latin Song: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”
Best Latin Album: Karol G – “Tropicoqueta”

Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots
Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: Sombr
Best Rock/Alternative Song: Sombr– “Back to Friends”
Best Rock/Alternative Album: Sombr – “I Barely Know Her”

Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta

Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
Best Female K-Pop Artist: Twice

Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla

Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan

Additionally, the legendary Billy Idol was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the AMAs 2026.