American Music Awards 2026: BTS, sombr, and ‘Golden’ win big

The 52nd American Music Awards were held May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Queen Latifah returned as host, previously co-hosted the show in 1995 with Tom Jones and Lorrie Morgan.

BTS opened the show with a performance of “Hooligan” and went on to be one of the night’s biggest winners. The group earned the coveted prize of artist of the year, as well as best male K-pop artist. Their song “Swim” won song of the summer, one of the AMAs’ new categories. They also presented SZA with the award for best female R&B artist.

sombr took home three prizes: best rock/alternative song for “Back to Friends,” best rock/alternative album for “I Hardly Knew Her” and breakthrough rock/alternative artist. He also made his AMAs performance debut with “Homewrecker.”

The singing voices of HUNTR/X from KPop Demon Hunters—EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI—were also among the night’s biggest winners, with EJAE and AMI in attendance. Their Grammy-award-winning hit “Golden” won song of the year, best pop song and best vocal performance, while KPop Demon Hunters earned best soundtrack.

Taylor Swift led the nominations for the 2026 AMAs with eight but went home empty-handed. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and sombr were runners-up with seven nominations each. Alex Warren and Lady Gaga each received six.

See the night’s winners listed below, with a complete list including nominations available on the AMA website.

2026 American Music Awards Winners

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”

Pop

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