The American Music Awards unofficially kick off summer tonight, celebrating the best in music and featuring performances from artists like Billy Idol, Keith Urban, Teyana Taylor and more.
The program is broadcast CBS Television Stations and streams on Paramount+ starting at 8pm ET/5pm PT.
The AMAs boast being the world’s largest fan-voted awards show. Voting for most categories closed earlier this month, but people can still vote online or on Instagram for social song of the year and tour of the year during the first half hour of the show.
queen latifah serves as host this year, returning to the AMAs stage after co-hosting in 1995 and performing over the years.
Taylor Swift leads the nominations with eight after last year’s premiere of “The life of a showgirl,”, which is competing for album of the year and best pop album. Two songs from the album also received nominations: “The Fate of Ophelia” for song of the year, best music video and best pop song, and “Elizabeth Taylor” for song of the summer.
Swift has already won at the AMAs 40 times, more than any other artist. She is also nominated for artist of the year and best female pop artist this year.
Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter and Sombr were just behind Swift with seven nominations each.
But the awards are only part of the show. billy idolKnown for hits like “Dancing With Myself,” “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding,” he will receive a lifetime achievement award and perform a medley of some of his hits on the AMAs stage.
Scott Dudelson/Getty Images for Coachella 
Keith Urban will perform a song from his upcoming yacht rock album “Flow State.” Teyana Taylor, who won a golden globe in January for her performance on “One Battle After Another” and is nominated for best female R&B artist at the AMAs, she will perform a medley from her album, “Escape Room.”
There will also be performances from some groups that have built up a strong following over the years, with Hootie and the Blowfish, New Kids on the Block and The Pussycat Dolls taking to the stage.
K-pop superstars BTS will also make a special appearance. After a pause of almost four years for members to complete their mandatory military service, the The group began a world tour. in March and will appear at her first awards show in four years at the AMAs. They are also nominated for three awards.
Who will perform at the 2026 American Music Awards?
Here’s a list of all the artists announced at the American Music Awards:
- billy idol
- Hootie and the puffer fish
- karol g
- Katseye
- Keith Urbano
- Maluma
- New kids on the block
- The Pussycat Dolls, with a special appearance by Busta Rhymes
- Riley Green
- gloomy
- Teddy nothing
- Teyana Taylor
- Twenty one pilots
How to watch the American Music Awards 2026
- That: The American Music Awards 2026 show
- Date: Monday, May 25, 2026
- Time: 8 pm Eastern Time/5 pm Pacific Time
- Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
- on television: Live on CBS television stations. Find your local station here.
- online streaming: Live on Paramount+
