AMAs 2026: BTS is Artist of the Year; Full winners list released
BTS returned to the American Music Awards after five years and won Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer. Her reunion-era appearance and speeches made her one of the biggest talking points of the ceremony. See the full list of winners.
Global pop titans BTS once again turned the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs) into a global fan moment as the group not only took home major honors but also dominated the online conversation with their reunion-era appearance, speeches and stage presence. The septet returned to the AMAs stage for the first time in five years, with fans flooding social media after the group addressed ARMYs and reflected on their journey together.
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BTS won Artist of the Year – one of the biggest honors of the night – marking another milestone in their long-term relationship with the AMAs. He also created history with his second win of the night float. BTS chose the song of the summer floatIt is the only Asian group to win the award in this category.
Thanking fans, leader RM said, “First of all, thank you so much to all the ARMYs in the world. Thank you so much for the love for SWIM. When we made this album, we were under a lot of pressure to figure out what kind of music “we” liked the most at the moment.”
Taehyung, on the other hand, shared, “Thank you to all of you and thank you to everyone out there who keeps swimming, we send you our love and support,” while also thanking everyone at his label BigHit Music. The group also didn’t forget to thank ARMYs – who they call their biggest supporters. “Our greatest thanks and gratitude goes to all armies around the world.”
The group also presented SZA with the Best Female Artist in the R&B category, as well as the Best Male K-pop Artist award.
Hosted by Queen Latifah in Las Vegas, the 2026 AMAs also celebrated artists including breakout acts Taylor Swift, SZA, Karol G, Sabrina Carpenter and Catseye, and fictional K-pop act Hunter/X from Netflix’s ‘Kpop Demon Hunters.’
Complete winners list at American Music Awards 2026
major categories
Artist of the Year – BTS
Song of the Year – Golden by Hunter/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Ri Ami)
New Artist of the Year – Katsye
Album of the Year – Sabrina Carpenter for Man’s Best Friend
Collaboration of the Year – details are officially awaited
Best Male Pop Artist – Justin Bieber
Best Female Pop Artist – Sabrina Carpenter
Best Pop Album – Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend
special honor
International Artist Award of Excellence – Karol G
Veterans Voice Award – Darius Rucker
Lifetime Achievement Award – Billy Idol
Pop and viral categories
Song of the Summer – Swimming by BTS
Best Pop Song – Golden
Best Music Video – Catseye for Gnarly
Throwback Song of the Year – Rock That Body by Black Eyed Peas
style winner
Best Female R&B Artist – SZA
Breakthrough R&B Artist – Leon Thomas
Best Rock/Alternative Song – Back to Friends by Sombre
Best Latin Album – Tropicoqueta by Karol G
The night also marked a major moment for K-pop globally, with BTS, Catseye and Kpop Demon Hunters collectively becoming some of the biggest talking points of the ceremony.
BTS’ appearance sparked particularly emotional reactions online, with fans calling it a “full-circle moment” as the group reunited on a major US awards stage after years of being dominated by solo projects and military recruitment.
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