BTS set for special appearance at 2026 American Music Awards

K-pop sensation BTS is set to make a special appearance at the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs), organisers CBS and Dick Clark Productions confirmed on May 20.

The group has also received multiple nominations this year, including the prestigious Artist of the Year category, where they will compete against global stars such as Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and others.

BTS is additionally nominated for Song of the Summer for their track Swim, as well as Best Male K-pop Artist alongside groups like Ateez, Enhypen, Stray Kids, and Tomorrow X Together.

The upcoming appearance adds to BTS’s strong legacy at the AMAs. In 2021, the group made history by becoming the first Korean act to win Artist of the Year, bringing their total AMA wins to 11.

Their latest album Arirang has also performed strongly on global charts since its release in March. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained there for three consecutive weeks, while its lead single Swim topped the Billboard Hot 100.

Currently, BTS is continuing their Arirang world tour, which includes four scheduled performances in Singapore this December. The group is also set to co-headline the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 alongside Madonna and Shakira, with production curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

The 2026 AMAs, hosted by Queen Latifah, will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 25.

Other performers announced for the event include Billy Idol, Katseye, The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes, Twenty One Pilots, Sombr, and more.