BTS to appear at 2026 AMAs May 25

CBS and Dick Clark Productions said on May 20 that BTS will make a special appearance at the 52nd American Music Awards, putting the group back on an award-show stage for the first time in four years. The appearance is scheduled for Monday, May 25, when the AMAs return live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The AMAs and Billboard both described it as a “special appearance,” without detailing whether BTS will perform. Queen Latifah is set to host the ceremony. ### What exactly has been announced about BTS? The American Music Awards said BTS, an 11-time AMA winner, will appear at the 2026 show in a non-specific role labeled a special appearance. The announcement was published by the AMAs on May 20 and was echoed by Billboard and Rolling Stone on May 21. None of those notices said the group would perform or present an award. (theamas.com) Billboard said the booking will be BTS’s first award-show appearance in four years. The AMAs used the same framing in their own announcement. ### Where and when is the show? The 52nd American Music Awards will air live on Monday, May 25, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. (theamas.com) The broadcast starts at 8 p.m. Eastern and 5 p.m. Pacific on CBS and Paramount+, according to the AMAs and Billboard. Las Vegas has been central to this year’s event rollout. (theamas.com) The AMAs said earlier that the MGM Grand Garden Arena is the largest venue in the show’s history. ### Is BTS up for any awards this year? The AMAs nomination list shows BTS is nominated for Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer for “SWIM.” Rolling Stone also reported the group is nominated for Best Male K-Pop Artist. (theamas.com) The nominations place BTS alongside a broader field led by Taylor Swift, who has eight nominations, according to Billboard’s nominations report and the AMAs’ nominee announcement. (theamas.com) ### Who else is part of the May 25 lineup? Queen Latifah will host the 2026 ceremony, returning to the AMA stage as emcee, according to Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and the AMAs. (theamas.com) The current lineup page lists performers including Billy Idol, Busta Rhymes, Hootie & the Blowfish, KAROL G, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, New Kids on the Block, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims, Teyana Taylor, the Pussycat Dolls and Twenty One Pilots. (billboard.com) BTS is listed separately under special appearances. Billboard’s performers roundup said the roster has been expanding in the days before the broadcast. ### Why is the four-year gap getting attention? Billboard and the AMAs both highlighted the four-year span because BTS has not appeared at an award show during that period. The announcement does not explain the gap, but the wording has become the central detail in how the return is being presented by the organizers and entertainment outlets. (theamas.com) (billboard.com) Rolling Stone framed the booking as part of the group’s broader 2026 comeback cycle, while still describing the May 25 event as a special appearance rather than a confirmed performance. That distinction matters because the published announcements stop short of saying what BTS will do onstage. ### What happens next on May 25? (theamas.com) The AMAs will air live on May 25 on CBS and Paramount+, with BTS scheduled to appear during the telecast from Las Vegas. The official AMAs lineup page and voting site remain live ahead of the broadcast, with BTS listed in the show lineup and among this year’s nominees. (theamas.com) (rollingstone.com)