BTS to make special appearance at 2026 American Music Awards

Global K-pop sensation BTS is set to make a special appearance at the 52nd American Music Awards on May 25, marking the group’s first appearance at an award show in four years.

The band has received nominations in three categories this year — Artist of the Year, Song of the Summer for “Swim”, and Best K-pop Artist.

BTS previously won Artist of the Year in 2021, becoming the first group since One Direction to secure the top honour after the latter’s consecutive wins in 2014 and 2015. Their 2021 victory also ended Taylor Swift’s three-year streak in the category, although the singer reclaimed the title the following year. Both BTS and Taylor Swift are nominated again this year.

To date, BTS has won 11 American Music Awards, making them the second most-awarded group in AMA history after Alabama, which holds 23 wins.

The group first appeared on the AMAs stage in 2017 with a performance of “DNA”, becoming the first Korean act to perform at the ceremony since its inception in 1974.

Earlier this spring, BTS earned their seventh No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with “Swim”. Their latest album, “ARIRANG”, also became their seventh chart-topping album on the Billboard 200 and the first BTS album to remain at No. 1 for multiple weeks.

This year’s American Music Awards will be hosted by Queen Latifah and held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony will air live across the United States on CBS and Paramount+.

Fan voting has already closed for most categories, though voting for Social Song of the Year and Tour of the Year will remain open during the first 30 minutes of the broadcast through the official AMA voting platforms.

The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.