The 52nd annual American Music Awards of 2026 lit up Las Vegas on Monday, May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day), with a massive mix of nostalgia, viral newcomers, country favorites, K-pop domination, and long-awaited reunion moments. Hosted by Queen Latifah at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the fan-voted awards show delivered one of the most eclectic AMA lineups in years.
One of the biggest talking points of the night was the return of The Pussycat Dolls, who stormed the stage alongside Busta Rhymes in a performance many viewers immediately called one of the night’s highlights. BTS also made headlines with their first major award-show appearance in four years, while rock icon Billy Idol returned to the AMA stage with a career-spanning performance.
Performers at the 2026 AMAs
This year’s performers included:
- Billy Idol
- BTS
- Hootie & the Blowfish
- Karol G
- KATSEYE
- Keith Urban
- Maluma
- New Kids on the Block
- The Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes
- Riley Green
- Sombr
- Teddy Swims
- Teyana Taylor
- Twenty One Pilots
The ceremony balanced veteran acts with breakthrough artists, showing just how wide the modern music landscape has become. From Latin pop and country to K-pop, alternative rock, and classic MTV-era pop, the 2026 AMAs felt like a giant playlist on shuffle — in the best possible way.
The night also featured major wins from BTS, Sabrina Carpenter, Karol G, and breakout act KATSEYE. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift entered the evening with the most nominations, though she did not attend the show.
