The 2026 American Music Awards air live Monday, May 25, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+.
When the lights go up at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, May 25, 2026, the 2026 American Music Awards will be more than another awards show. Host Queen Latifah has promised it will feel alive—energetic, unbuttoned, and fully in the moment.
The ceremony starts at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the show airing live on both CBS and Paramount+.
Queen Latifah also shared why she looks forward to stepping into the hosting role. In May 2026. she told the Associated Press. “I think the energy of hosting the AMAs is the same energy of hosting the AMAs. ” adding. “This is one of the biggest nights in music. It always has been.” She described the venue feeling joyful because “people that have worked so hard have made it to this moment. ” and said she’s hoping the night feels “light” and “energetic. not so buttoned-up.”.
The full guest list hasn’t been fully revealed yet, but Latifah will be joined by performers including Billy Idol, Busta Rhymes, Karol G, Katseye, Keith Urban, Riley Green, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor and The Pussycat Dolls. BTS is also set to make a special appearance.
Latifah teased the variety of acts during her AP conversation: “There’s several of of my favorite artists that will be on this show from Sombr to Olivia Dean. ” she said. “And then there’s some secret performances. I can’t give them all up. but we got New Kids on the Block. that’s taking it back to my childhood era. and they’re still rocking.”.
Presenters are also lined up to bring their own star power, with Alysa Liu, Anthony Ramos, Hilary Duff, John Legend, Lisa Rinna, Ludacris, Nikki Glaser, Paul Abdul and Matt Rife among the names included.
While the show is built on live surprises, one artist’s name has been impossible to ignore in the lead-up. Taylor Swift is making history at the 2026 American Music Awards, already the most-decorated winner in ceremony history with 40 accolades. This year, she scored eight nods at the 2026 occasion.
Swift is up for Artist of the Year, Best Female Pop Artist, Album of the Year, Best Pop Album, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Pop Song and Song of the Summer.
For Artist of the Year, Swift will be competing against Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, BTS, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Morgan Wallen and Sabrina Carpenter.
It’s not yet known whether Swift will attend in person. She was recently spotted in New York City with her fiancé, Travis Kelce, on May 22, 2026.
As May 25 approaches. Latifah’s final promise ties the night together: because the AMAs are live. “You don’t know what’s going to happen and you don’t know what you’re going to see. ” she said in May 2026. She added that she loves “live music. live performances and how the artists feel when they’re in front of an audience. ” calling it what “takes it to another level.”.
2026 American Music Awards AMAs live Queen Latifah MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas CBS Paramount+ Taylor Swift BTS special appearance Billy Idol Busta Rhymes Karol G Katseye Keith Urban Ludacris