The 2026 American Music Awards ended without a single dominant winner as seven different acts shared the spotlight with three awards each during the ceremony held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday night.
Among the night’s biggest winners were BTS, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, HUNTR/X, and Sombr, who each picked up three awards.
Despite entering the night with a leading eight nominations, Taylor Swift failed to win in any category. However, she still holds the record as the most awarded artist in AMA history with 40 wins.
BTS secured one of the night’s top honours by winning Artist of the Year for the second time after previously claiming the category in 2021. The group also took home awards for Song of the Summer with “Swim” and Best Male K-Pop Artist, bringing their career AMA total to 14.
Their latest achievement places them behind only Alabama among groups and duos with the most AMA wins. BTS also tied One Direction and Justin Bieber as repeat winners in the Artist of the Year category.
Justin Bieber also made history after winning Best Male Pop Artist, pushing his AMA career total to 19 awards. The milestone ties him with late country legend Kenny Rogers as the second most decorated male artist in AMA history, behind only Michael Jackson.
KATSEYE emerged as the New Artist of the Year winner, continuing the trend of female acts dominating the category. The group also won Best Music Video and Breakthrough Pop Artist.
HUNTR/X’s hit “Golden” continued its impressive award season run after claiming Song of the Year. The track had previously earned victories at both the Grammys and the Oscars. The group also won awards for Best Vocal Performance and Best Pop Song.
Sombr enjoyed a breakthrough night with wins for Best Rock/Alternative Song for “Back to Friends,” Best Rock/Alternative Album for I Barely Know Her, and Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist.
Bruno Mars swept the R&B categories, winning Best Male R&B Artist, Best R&B Song, and Best R&B Album, while Cardi B dominated hip-hop with victories for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, Best Hip-Hop Song and Best Hip-Hop Album.
Sabrina Carpenter also enjoyed a successful evening after taking home Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist and Best Pop Album.
Several heavily nominated stars left empty-handed alongside Taylor Swift, including Lady Gaga and Olivia Dean.
In the Latin category, Karol G won Best Latin Album with Tropicoqueta and also received the International Artist Award of Excellence.
Zara Larsson picked up two awards, including Collaboration of the Year and Breakthrough Album of the Year, marking another milestone in her growing international success.
Meanwhile, Twenty One Pilots won Best Rock/Alternative Artist for the fourth time, while The Black Eyed Peas claimed the newly introduced Best Throwback Song category with “Rock That Body.”
The 52nd edition of the American Music Awards was hosted by Queen Latifah and broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+.
