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BTS Wins Artist of the Year at 2026 American Music Awards
BTS received the top fan-voted honor at the 52nd American Music Awards held May 25, 2026 in Las Vegas. KATSEYE, Sombr and the voices of HUNTR/X each collected three awards, matching the night's highest total.
May 25, 8:20 PM·1m read2 sources
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BTS won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards on May 25, 2026, marking the group's second time receiving the fan-voted prize and its first since entering military-service hiatus. The ceremony took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and was broadcast on CBS with streaming on Paramount+.
" Sombr took Best Rock/Alternative Song for "back to friends" and Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist. " Bruno Mars won Best Male R&B Artist and Best R&B Album. Cardi B won Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and Best Hip-Hop Album. Shakira received the Tour of the Year award. Benson Boone won Breakout Tour.
G was given the International Artist Award of Excellence, Billy Joel received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Darius Rucker was honored with the Veterans Voice Award. Queen Latifah hosted the 52nd annual show, 31 years after first co-hosting in 1995.
Twelve new categories were introduced this year, including Song of the Summer, Best Vocal Performance and multiple Breakthrough awards. >"BTS accepts the Song of the Summer Award for 'Swim' during the American Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25, 2026.
