LAS VEGAS — The 2026 American Music Awards aired live on Monday, May 25, 2026, starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The show was broadcast on CBS television stations and streamed on Paramount+.
Queen Latifah served as host of the event, marking her return to the American Music Awards stage after co-hosting in 1995. The awards show featured performances by a diverse lineup of artists including Billy Idol, Keith Urban, Teyana Taylor, Hootie and the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block, The Pussycat Dolls with Busta Rhymes, BTS, Karol G, Katseye, Maluma, Riley Green, Sombr, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots.
Billy Idol received a lifetime achievement award and performed a medley of his hits. Keith Urban performed a track from his upcoming yacht rock album "Flow State." Teyana Taylor delivered a medley from her album "Escape Room" and was nominated for Best Female R&B Artist.
BTS made a special appearance, marking their first awards show appearance in four years following a nearly four-year hiatus for mandatory military service. The group, which launched a world tour in March 2026, was nominated for three awards.
Taylor Swift led all nominees with eight nods, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Album for "The Life of a Showgirl," and Song of the Year, Best Music Video, and Best Pop Song for "The Fate of Ophelia." Her track "Elizabeth Taylor" was nominated for Song of the Summer, and she also received nominations for Artist of the Year and Best Female Pop Artist. Swift holds the record for most American Music Awards won by any artist, with 40.
Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sombr each received seven nominations. Voting for most categories closed earlier in May 2026, though fans could vote online or on social media for Social Song of the Year and Tour of the Year during the first half hour of the broadcast. The American Music Awards describes itself as the world's largest fan-voted awards show, and eleven new categories were added for the 2026 edition.