The 2026 edition of the American Music Awards concluded on Memorial Day at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with BTS emerging as one of the night’s biggest winners by taking home the coveted Artist of the Year award. The globally popular K-pop group also won Song of the Summer for Swim, the lead single from their comeback album ARIRANG, and opened the ceremony with a performance of Hooligan. Following the telecast, BTS was additionally named Best Male K-pop Artist.Another major winner of the evening was Sabrina Carpenter, whose album Man’s Best Friend won both Album of the Year and Best Pop Album. Carpenter also secured the Best Female Pop Artist title.The award for Song of the Year went to Golden by the singing voices behind KPop Demon Hunters — EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI. The track also picked up Best Pop Song and Best Vocal Performance honours, while KPop Demon Hunters won Best Soundtrack, according to Billboard Singer-songwriter Sombr had a breakthrough night, winning Best Rock/Alternative Song for “back to friends” and Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her. He also made his AMAs performance debut with Homewrecker. Despite leading the nominations with eight nods, Taylor Swift left the ceremony without a win. Swift remains the most awarded artist in AMAs history with 40 trophies.The 52nd edition of the awards show was hosted by Queen Latifah. Among other notable winners, Justin Bieber won Best Male Pop Artist, while KATSEYE was named New Artist of the Year, Best Music Video for Gnarly, and Breakthrough Pop Artist. In the country music categories, Morgan Wallen took home Best Male Country Artist, while Ella Langley won Best Female Country Artist and Best Country Song for Choosin’ Texas. Megan Moroney won Best Country Album for Cloud 9.Cardi B dominated the hip-hop categories, winning Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song for ErrTime, and Best Hip-Hop Album for AM I THE DRAMA?. Kendrick Lamar won Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. In R&B, Bruno Mars won Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song for I Just Might, and Best R&B Album for The Romantic.Latin music honours were led by Bad Bunny, who won Best Male Latin Artist and Best Latin Song for NUEVAYoL, while KAROL G took home Best Latin Album for Tropicoqueta and Shakira won Best Female Latin Artist and Tour of the Year for her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour. In rock and alternative categories, Twenty One Pilots won Best Rock/Alternative Artist, while David Guetta won Best Dance/Electronic Artist.In K-pop categories, TWICE won Best Female K-pop Artist, while BTS secured the male category honour. Tyla won both Social Song of the Year for “CHANEL” and Best Afrobeats Artist, while Noah Kahan received the inaugural Best Americana/Folk Artist award, according to Billboard.