The global superstars BTS (RM, Jin, Jimin, J-Hope, Suga, V, and Jungkook) have made a stunning comeback after five years, winning the grand prize at the American Music Awards (AMA), one of the three major music awards in the United States.
At the 2026 American Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the 25th at 5 PM (local time), BTS took home the top honor, “Artist of the Year.”
During his acceptance speech, leader RM expressed his gratitude, saying, “I want to thank all the ARMY. I felt a lot of pressure while preparing ‘SWIM’ and worried about which song to use for our comeback. However, I firmly believed that we must keep challenging ourselves.” He also added, “Thank you to CEO Bang Si-hyuk.”
This marks BTS’s first direct appearance at the AMAs since 2021. Aiming for their second grand prize, they competed in the “Artist of the Year” category against nine global pop stars, including Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga.
In addition to the top prize, BTS was nominated for “Best Male K-Pop Artist” and “Song of the Summer.” They successfully swept all three, winning “Song of the Summer” with their track “SWIM” and “Best Male K-Pop Artist,” achieving an incredible triple crown.
The nominees were selected based on Billboard and Luminate data from March 21, 2025, to March 26, 2026, combining key fan activity metrics such as streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, and tour revenue.
BTS has collected a total of 12 trophies at the AMAs as a group and soloists. They first won “Favorite Social Artist” in 2018 and dominated that category for three consecutive years until 2020. In 2019, they showcased their massive influence in the touring industry by winning “Tour of the Year.” Starting with “Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock” in 2019, they topped the pop duo/group categories for four consecutive years until 2022, becoming the all-time most awarded artists in that category. In 2021, they achieved a triple crown, winning “Artist of the Year,” “Favorite Duo or Group,” and “Favorite Pop Song.” In 2022, they became the first winners of the newly created “Favorite K-Pop Artist” award, and RM later took home the trophy in the same category in 2025.
Other K-pop stars who added to the excitement by being nominated in major AMA categories included Jennie, Stray Kids, aespa, ATEEZ, Tomorrow X Together, ENHYPEN, ILLIT, LE SSERAFIM, and KATSEYE.
