The 52nd Annual American Music Awards have wrapped, handing K-pop group BTS the night's top prize and giving music fans across the UAE plenty to catch up on. The ceremony was held on May 25, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and aired live on CBS while streaming on Paramount+, which is available to subscribers in the region.
BTS leads the night as Artist of the Year
BTS claimed Artist of the Year for the second time, sweeping all three categories in which the group was nominated. Alongside the top honour, the band won Best Male K-Pop Artist and Song of the Summer for "SWIM," and opened the show with a performance of "Hooligan." It marked the group's first appearance at an awards show in four years, and UAE outlets including Khaleej Times and Gulf News covered the wins prominently.
Several other artists also had a strong evening. Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, Sombr and Huntrix were among the most-awarded acts of the night, each taking home multiple trophies.
Taylor Swift goes home empty-handed
In one of the night's most talked-about storylines, Taylor Swift, the most decorated artist in AMAs history, led the field with eight nominations but did not win in any category. The shutout drew widespread attention given her long record at the ceremony.
Special honours and host
Queen Latifah hosted the ceremony, returning to the stage 31 years after she first co-hosted the AMAs in 1995. The evening also recognised a slate of special honourees: Karol G received the International Artist Award of Excellence, Billy Idol was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Darius Rucker was honoured with the Veterans Voice Award.
How UAE fans can watch the highlights
Viewers in Abu Dhabi and across the Emirates can stream the ceremony on demand through Paramount+, where the 2026 American Music Awards are available with a subscription. Performances and winner moments from the broadcast can be revisited there, alongside coverage from regional publications such as Khaleej Times and Gulf News, which reported the full results for fans following along from the Gulf.
With a record-setting BTS win, a surprise Taylor Swift shutout and a roster of standout performances, the 52nd AMAs delivered one of the more eventful nights in the show's recent history, and the highlights remain easy to catch up on for fans in the capital.
