BTS accepts Artist of the Year at the 2026 American Music Awards, May 26, 2026. Screenshot from the X account of the American Music Awards
(UPDATE) K-pop supergroup BTS was crowned Artist of the Year on Tuesday (Manila time) at the American Music Awards, marking the second time the group claimed the top prize at the fan-voted awards show.
The septet — which recently made a comeback with "Arirang," its first album in four years following a hiatus to fulfill mandatory military service — first won the same award in 2021.
"It's an honor to have this precious award once again after everybody done their military service," leader RM said during the acceptance speech.
"Our biggest thanks and gratitude, as always, goes to the ARMYs all over the world who stood by us for the past 13 years," he said, referring to the group's fans.
BTS also took home Song of the Summer for "Swim," the chart-topping single off "Arirang," as well as being named Best Male K-pop Artist.
Meanwhile, multinational girl group KATSEYE, whose lineup includes Filipino artist Sophia Laforteza, was named New Artist of the Year.
Sabrina Carpenter won Album of the Year for "Man's Best Friend," while "Golden" from the hit animated film "KPop Demon Hunters" was named Song of the Year.
Below is the full list of winners at the 2026 AMAs, as compiled by trade outlet Variety:
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”
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”
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”
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?”
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”
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”
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”
Best Dance/Electronic Artist: David Guetta
Best Male K-Pop Artist: BTS
Best Female K-Pop Artist: TWICE
Best Afrobeats Artist: Tyla
Best Americana/Folk Artist: Noah Kahan
With winners determined entirely by fan voting, the AMAs honors "today’s most influential artists and their passionate fanbases," according to its website.
RELATED VIDEO