The 52nd American Music Awards are officially here, and the 2026 lineup is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying nights in the show’s history. From iconic legacy acts returning to the stage to buzzing new artists making their AMA debut, the American Music Awards 2026 performers list has something for every music fan. Whether you’re tuning in for the nostalgia, the chart-toppers, or the surprises, here is everything you need to know before the big night.
When Is the American Music Awards 2026?
Mark your calendars — the American Music Awards 2026 is on Monday, May 25, 2026, making it a special Memorial Day event. The ceremony kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT, live from the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It will air on CBS for the second consecutive year and will also stream live on Paramount+ (Premium plan required). Queen Latifah returns to host the show — a full 30 years after she co-hosted back in 1995 — making this a deeply personal homecoming for the Grammy and Oscar-nominated entertainer.
Full List of American Music Awards 2026 Performers
The 2026 AMA stage is packed with an extraordinary mix of heritage icons and today’s hottest stars. Here is the confirmed performer lineup:
- Billy Idol – Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; performing a medley of his greatest hits in his first AMA appearance in 22 years
- Karol G – Receiving the International Artist Award of Excellence
- Hootie & the Blowfish – Returning 30 years after winning the AMA for Pop/Rock New Artist in 1996
- KATSEYE – Delivering the U.S. TV broadcast premiere of their new single “Pinky Up”
- Keith Urban – Performing a track from his forthcoming Yacht Rock album Flow State, due June 12
- Maluma – Taking the stage with a song from his seventh studio album Loco x Volver (out May 15)
- New Kids on the Block – The beloved boy band rejoining the AMA stage
- The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes – Celebrating 20 years since their first AMA performance with an expected rendition of “Don’t Cha”
- Riley Green – Making his AMA performance debut
- Sombr – One of the night’s leading nominees bringing a highly anticipated set
- Teddy Swims – Performing his new single “Mr. Know It All”
- Teyana Taylor – A first-time AMA nominee taking the spotlight
- Twenty One Pilots – Performing the fan-favorite track “Drag Path”
- BTS – Making a special appearance, marking their first awards show return in four years following their mandatory South Korean military service and reunion
This stacked lineup ensures the 2026 AMAs will be a night full of memorable performances across pop, country, R&B, Latin, and rock.
When Is the American Music Awards 2026 — Key Details at a Glance
When is the American Music Awards 2026? Tonight is the night — Monday, May 25, 2026. The show begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It airs live on CBS and streams on Paramount+. Queen Latifah hosts the 52nd annual ceremony, which introduces 12 brand-new award categories this year, including Song of the Summer, Best Vocal Performance, Breakthrough Album of the Year, and Breakout Tour. The AMAs, produced by Dick Clark Productions, remain the world’s largest fan-voted music award show, with nominees determined by Billboard and Luminate data covering streaming, sales, radio airplay, and touring from March 2025 to March 2026.
2026 American Music Awards Nominees: Who’s Leading the Pack?
The 2026 nominations are headlined by the undisputed queen of AMA history — Taylor Swift, who leads all nominees with eight nominations. Already the most awarded artist in the show’s history with 40 career AMA wins, Swift is nominated for:
- Artist of the Year
- Album of the Year (The Life of a Showgirl)
- Song of the Year (“The Fate of Ophelia”)
- Best Music Video (“The Fate of Ophelia”)
- Song of the Summer (“Elizabeth Taylor”)
- Best Female Pop Artist
- Best Pop Song (“The Fate of Ophelia”)
- Best Pop Album (The Life of a Showgirl)
Hot on her heels are Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sombr, each with seven nominations. Lady Gaga and Alex Warren follow with six nominations apiece.
The Artist of the Year category is stacked with ten contenders: Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, BTS, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, and Harry Styles.
First-time AMA nominees include Olivia Dean, Sombr, KATSEYE, Teyana Taylor, Alex Warren, Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, RAYE, Leon Thomas, Sienna Spiro, and BigXthaPlug — signaling a generational shift in mainstream music recognition.
American Music Awards 2026 Vote: How to Cast Your Ballot
The American Music Awards 2026 vote is a central part of what makes the show special — it is the world’s largest fan-voted awards ceremony. General voting opened on April 14, 2026, and has already closed for most categories. However, two categories remain open:
- Social Song of the Year
- Tour of the Year
Fans can still vote for these two awards via VoteAMAs.com and through the @AMAs Instagram profile until 5:30 p.m. PT on show day, May 25, 2026. So if you haven’t voted yet, head over now and make your voice heard before the window closes.
BTS Special Appearance: A Historic Homecoming
One of the most buzzed-about moments of the night will be the special appearance by BTS — their first awards show appearance in four years. The group had been on hiatus while completing mandatory South Korean military service but recently reunited for their fifth studio album, ARIRANG. This appearance is a full-circle moment: BTS made their U.S. television performance debut at the 2017 American Music Awards, becoming the first Korean group to ever perform at the show. With 11 AMA wins to their name, they are the second most-awarded group in AMA history, trailing only Alabama. BTS is also nominated this year for Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “Swim”, and Best Male K-Pop Artist.
Special Honors at the 2026 AMAs
Beyond the performances and awards, the 2026 ceremony will celebrate some extraordinary career achievements:
- Billy Idol receives the Lifetime Achievement Award — a nod to his decades-long impact on rock music
- Karol G receives the International Artist Award of Excellence — recognizing her global dominance in Latin music
- Paula Abdul is confirmed as a presenter, adding another iconic ’80s and ’90s figure to the evening
How to Watch the American Music Awards 2026
- Date: Monday, May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day)
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT
- Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
- Network: CBS (live broadcast)
- Streaming: Paramount+ (Premium plan)
- Host: Queen Latifah
Will your favorite artist take home the trophy tonight? Drop a comment below with your predictions, and don’t forget to follow us for live updates throughout the 2026 American Music Awards!