American Music Awards 2026 Winner List: BTS Bags Artist of the Year, Justin Bieber, One Direction Take Home Two Wins

On May 25, the 52nd annual American Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. For the first time in over 30 years, Queen Latifah hosted the show, making her return as MC. BTS took home the fan-voted honours, including Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer, Best Male K-Pop Artist, Bruno Mars bagged Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album, while Cardi B won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song, and Best Hip-Hop Album. Not just them, but Katseye, Sabrina Carpenter, and Sombr also bagged three awards each. 

To everyone’s surprise, Taylor Swift was the most nominated artist of the year with eight nominations. However, she didn’t win any. For the unversed, Swift, the top winner in the history of the American Music Awards, has 40 trophies. But in the American Music Awards 2026, she left home empty-handed. Here’s a quick glimpse at the complete winner list. 

American Music Awards 2026 Complete Winner List

Because of the fans, @bts_bighit is taking home the biggest award of the night! Congratulations on Artist of the Year at the #AMAs! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/P9GJaZBpHV — American Music Awards (@AMAs) May 26, 2026

GENERAL CATEGORIES

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”

COUNTRY CATEGORIES

Best Male Country Artist: Morgan Wallen

Best Female Country Artist: Ella Langley

Best Country Duo or Group: Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough Country Artist: Sam Barber

Best Country Song: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”

Best Country Album: Megan Moroney – “Cloud 9”

HIP-HOP CATEGORIES

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Cardi B

Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist: Monaleo

Best Hip-Hop Song: Cardi B – “ErrTime”

Best Hip-Hop Album: Cardi B – “Am I the Drama?”

R&B CATEGORIES

Best Male R&B Artist: Bruno Mars

Best Female R&B Artist: SZA

Breakthrough R&B Artist: Leon Thomas

Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars – “The Romantic”

LATIN CATEGORIES

Best Male Latin Artist: Bad Bunny

Best Female Latin Artist: Shakira

Best Latin Duo or Group: Fuerza Regida

Breakthrough Latin Artist: Kapo

Best Latin Song: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”

Best Latin Album: Karol G – “Tropicoqueta”

DANCE/ELECTRONIC CATEGORIES

Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta

K-POP CATEGORIES

Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS

Best Female K-Pop Artist: Twice

AFROBEATS CATEGORIES

Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla

AMERICANA/FOLK CATEGORIES

Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan

ROCK CATEGORIES

Best Rock/Alternative Artist: Twenty One Pilots

Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist: Sombr

Best Rock/Alternative Song: Sombr– “Back to Friends”

Best Rock/Alternative Album: Sombr – “I Barely Know Her”

POP CATEGORIES

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”