2026 American Music Awards: Performers, Time, Nominees - Parade
For the first time in 22 years, Billy Idol is set to perform at the American Music Awards on Monday, May 25—and NKOTB is gearing up to take the stage, too.
parade.comHere’s the latest on the 2026 American Music Awards (AMA):
- Date and location: The 2026 AMA ceremony took place on Memorial Day in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.[1][3]
- Top nominations: Taylor Swift led the field with eight nominations, reflecting the continued impact of her 2025 releases.[7][1]
- Performances: Billy Idol is billed to perform and receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, with New Kids on the Block also on the lineup; the show is notable for several classic-era acts returning to perform.[3]
- International acts and guests: BTS made a live appearance portion of the broadcast, adding a global/pop crossover element to the night.[5][3]
- Broadcast details: The show aired live in the United States on Memorial Day evening, with coast-to-coast coverage.[4][5]
- Notable new categories and honors: The 2026 ceremony introduced multiple new “Breakthrough” categories across various genres, alongside longstanding awards like Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. Karol G received the International Artist Award of Excellence, Billy Idol the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Darius Rucker the Veterans Voice Award.[2]
If you’d like, I can pull specific winners by category, a full list of performers, or a short recap of the night’s highlights.