BTS confirmed for 2026 American Music Awards

BTS is set for a return to a major U.S. awards-show stage after organizers of the 2026 American Music Awards said the group will make a “special appearance” at the ceremony on Monday, May 25. CBS and Dick Clark Productions announced the booking on May 20, describing it as BTS’s first award-show appearance in four years. (theamas.com) The appearance comes during a strong commercial run for the group’s current release cycle. (billboard.com) Billboard reported that BTS’s single “SWIM” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later spent a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. (theamas.com) The key detail for viewers is that BTS has been announced for the show, but not as part of the listed performer slate. The official lineup page places the group under “Special Appearance By BTS,” separate from artists announced as performers. ### What exactly has been confirmed about BTS at the AMAs? The American Music Awards said on May 20 that BTS will make a “special appearance” at the 52nd AMAs. (theamas.com) The show is scheduled for Monday, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Billboard, citing the same announcement, reported that the appearance will be BTS’s first at an award show in four years. (billboard.com) Neither the AMA release nor Billboard’s report said the group would perform “SWIM,” present an award or take part in another segment. (theamas.com) ### Is BTS performing, or is this a different kind of booking? The official AMA lineup page separates “Special Appearance By BTS” from the show’s named performers, which include Billy Idol, Busta Rhymes, KAROL G, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Teyana Taylor and others. That distinction matters because the show’s public materials, as of May 22, do not list BTS among the performers and do not provide a set time or segment description. (theamas.com) The available announcement confirms presence, not the format of that presence. ### Why is the booking drawing attention now? (billboard.com) Billboard reported in March that “SWIM” opened at No. 1 on the Hot 100, becoming BTS’s seventh career chart-topper and its first since 2021. The song is the lead single from the album “ARIRANG,” which Billboard also said debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. (theamas.com) By April 20, Billboard said “SWIM” had reached a fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. An earlier Billboard chart report said the song gave BTS its record-extending eighth No. 1 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. (theamas.com) ### How involved is BTS in this year’s AMAs beyond the appearance? The 2026 nominees list on the AMA website includes BTS in Artist of the Year and “SWIM” in Song of the Summer. The voting site also includes BTS among this year’s contenders. The group also enters the show as an 11-time AMA winner, according to the May 20 release from CBS and Dick Clark Productions. (billboard.com) ### When and where can viewers watch for BTS? The 52nd American Music Awards will air live on Monday, May 25, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS and Paramount+, according to the official show announcement. (billboard.com) Queen Latifah is set to host from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. As of May 22, the official materials available online do not list a running order or a specific BTS segment time. (theamas.com) Viewers looking for BTS’s appearance will need to watch the live broadcast or follow updates from the AMAs and CBS on the day of the show. (theamas.com)