The 2026 American Music Awards, held on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, delivered a night that mixed fan-voted star power, Memorial Day tributes and a wide range of performances spanning country, pop, rock, Latin and K-pop. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the ceremony included multiple moments honoring U.S. military service members and veterans through partnerships with 11 military and veterans’ organizations. Darius Rucker also joined in those tributes while performing with Hootie & the Blowfish, the band that first made him a star in the 1990s.
By the end of the show, BTS emerged as the night’s biggest winner, taking home artist of the year along with two additional AMAs. Sombr also had a strong night with three awards, while Karol G made a notable impact both onstage and in the winners’ circle. The ceremony reflected the AMAs’ fan-driven nature, with some of the loudest crowd reactions going to international acts such as BTS and Karol G, underscoring the show’s global reach.
The evening opened with Hootie & the Blowfish performing “Hold My Hand” and “Only Wanna Be With You,” setting a nostalgic tone with two of their biggest hits. Keith Urban followed later with a faithful rendition of “Summer Breeze,” while Riley Green delivered a solid country-rock performance of “Worst Way.” Teddy Swims impressed with the soulful “Mr. Know It All,” performing against a moody, atmospheric stage design that highlighted his vocal strength.
Several performances leaned heavily into spectacle and storytelling. Teyana Taylor brought an otherworldly, sci-fi-inspired staging to “All of Your Heart,” complete with striking lighting, unusual camerawork and a surprise video appearance from Missy Elliott. Maluma offered a warm, nostalgic version of “Tu Recuerdo,” incorporating Colombian imagery and childhood photos on the screen behind him.
The reunited Pussycat Dolls delivered one of the show’s most high-energy moments, reviving hits including “Buttons,” “When I Grow Up” and “Don’t Cha,” before being joined by Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star. New Kids on the Block also brought retro energy with “The Right Stuff,” tying the performance to their upcoming Las Vegas residency.
BTS was one of the night’s standout acts, first appearing in a prerecorded performance of “Hooligan” from Allegiant Stadium before later arriving in person to the applause of the live audience. Their performance was described as especially dynamic and commanding. KATSEYE closed out the show’s performance lineup with “Pinky Up,” a colorful, fast-paced set that combined playful visuals with strong vocals and choreography.
The night’s most memorable performance, however, came from Karol G. Performing “Ivonny Bonita,” she delivered a visually elegant and physically commanding set that required no backup dancers or band to hold the room. Sombr also earned praise for his emotive performance of “Homewrecker,” which ended with a dramatic rain effect. Billy Idol closed the ceremony with a medley of “Eyes Without a Face” and “Dancing With Myself,” capping the three-hour broadcast with a veteran rock performance that gradually built into a crowd-pleasing finale.
