K-pop and global pop acts swept the 2026 American Music Awards, with BTS taking Artist of the Year, Sabrina Carpenter earning multiple trophies, and HUNTR/X's "Golden" winning Song of the Year in a night of international music dominance.
The 52nd Annual American Music Awards, held May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and broadcast on CBS, was a landmark night for global and K-pop music, with BTS, KATSEYE, and HUNTR/X all securing multiple major awards. Hosted by Queen Latifah in a return to the stage 31 years after she first co-hosted the ceremony, the event saw BTS named Artist of the Year — the evening's highest honour — while also taking home Song of the Summer for "SWIM" and Best Male K-Pop Artist. HYBE label mates KATSEYE were named New Artist of the Year and won Best Music Video for "Gnarly," while HUNTR/X — the fictional girl group voiced by EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI from KPop Demon Hunters — won Song of the Year, Best Pop Song, and Best Vocal Performance for their global smash "Golden." All three acts tied for the most wins of the night with three trophies apiece.
Sabrina Carpenter was also a major winner, taking home Album of the Year and Best Female Pop Artist for Man's Best Friend. Elsewhere, Bruno Mars won Best Male R&B Artist and Best R&B Album for The Romantic, Cardi B claimed Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and Best Hip-Hop Album for AM I THE DRAMA?, and Bad Bunny won Best Male Latin Artist. Taylor Swift had led all nominees with eight nods going into the ceremony but ultimately walked away without a top prize. New categories introduced this year included Song of the Summer, Best Throwback Song, and Breakthrough Artist recognitions. Special honours went to Karol G (International Artist Award of Excellence), Billy Joel (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Darius Rucker (Veterans Voice Award).
The AMAs, determined entirely by fan voting, once again demonstrated the growing global reach of K-pop and international music, with BTS, KATSEYE, and HUNTR/X collectively winning nine awards across general, pop, and K-pop categories — a clear indication of shifting global music consumption patterns.
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