K-pop fans, clear your calendars. The 2026 MAMA Awards nominations dropped on October 12, and the race is already heated. BTS are out in front, but BIGBANG, TXT and several fourth-gen favourites are close behind. If you’re wondering who is up for what, this guide covers it in under two minutes.
BTS Take the Lead With Five Nominations
BTS are up for Artist of the Year, Best Male Group and Album of the Year for ARIRANG. They also have nods for Best Vocal Performance Group (SWIM) and Best Music Video (2.0).
J-Hope earns two more for his work on LE SSERAFIM’s SPAGHETTI, nominated for Best Collaboration and Best Dance Performance Female Group.
Nomination Snapshot
| Act | Nominations | Key Categories |
|---|---|---|
| BTS | 5 | Artist of the Year, Best Male Group, Album of the Year (ARIRANG) |
| BIGBANG | 4 | Artist of the Year, Best Male Group, Best Music Video, Best Dance Performance Male Group (BiiiG) |
| TXT | 3 | Artist of the Year, Best Male Group, Album of the Year |
| aespa, ATEEZ, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, CORTIS, MAMAMOO | 5 each | Multiple categories (Hwasa has 4 of MAMAMOO’s nods) |
BIGBANG’s Big Comeback Energy
BIGBANG’s four nominations are a nostalgic treat for longtime fans. Taeyang adds three solo nods, including Best Male Artist and Best Dance Performance Male Solo for LIVE FAST DIE SLOW.
G-Dragon, last year’s Artist of the Year winner, is nominated for Best Collaboration for his part in aespa’s WDA (Whole Different Animal).
TXT Aim High, Too
TXT have group nominations for Artist of the Year, Best Male Group and Album of the Year for 7th Year: A Moment of Stillness in the Thorns. Yeonjun also earns three individual nods, including Best Male Artist and Best Dance Performance Male Solo for Ice Cream.
When and Where Will the Awards Happen?
The ceremony is set for November 20 and 21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan. Fans abroad can stream it through CJ ENM’s Mnet Plus. The first round of fan voting opened alongside the nominations, so now is the time to back your favourites. Music released between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026 is eligible.
For background on the ceremony’s history, see the Mnet Asian Music Awards on Wikipedia.
Why This Year Feels Different?
Three things stand out:
- Veterans are back. BTS and BIGBANG sit at the top, which makes this one of the most emotional lineups in years.
- Fourth-gen groups are thriving. ILLIT and CORTIS matching legends like aespa and IVE on five nods each shows how fast the scene is moving.
- Collaborations are in the spotlight. J-Hope and G-Dragon’s cross-group nods prove that crossovers are now a major MAMA storyline.
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FAQs
Q1. Who has the most nominations at the 2026 MAMA Awards?
BTS lead the pack with five nominations, including Artist of the Year and Album of the Year for ARIRANG. Several other acts also have five.
Q2. Where can I watch the 2026 MAMA Awards online?
The show streams internationally on Mnet Plus. It takes place November 20 and 21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka.
