The 52nd American Music Awards returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25, 2026, with K-pop superstars BTS, US pop star Sabrina Carpenter and rising girl group KATSEYE taking home the night's biggest honours. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the fan-voted ceremony underlined a clear shift toward globally driven pop and K-pop on the international stage, and UAE fans tuned in heavily across streaming platforms.
BTS sweep Artist of the Year and Song of the Summer
According to Khaleej Times, BTS prevailed over Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny, Harry Styles and Lady Gaga to claim Artist of the Year, the night's top prize.Gulf News reports the group also picked up Best Male K-Pop Artist and Song of the Summer for their track Swim, making BTS one of the most awarded acts of the evening even as several members continue solo projects.
Sabrina Carpenter takes Album of the Year
Sabrina Carpenter capped off a year of chart-dominating singles by winning Album of the Year for Man's Best Friend, along with Favourite Female Pop Artist,Gulf News confirms. Her radio hits have been a fixture on Abu Dhabi and Dubai playlists throughout the past year, and her stage appearance drew strong social media engagement from UAE-based listeners.
KATSEYE break new ground
Global girl group KATSEYE, formed through the HYBE and Geffen Dream Academy project, took home New Artist of the Year, becoming the first girl group to win the category since it was introduced in 2004.Gulf News notes the group, which includes Filipino-American member Sophia, also performed their new single Pinky Up from the forthcoming Wild EP, due August 14. In their acceptance speech, KATSEYE thanked BTS for inspiring them, drawing loud cheers from the arena.
UAE fans celebrate online
In the UAE, the announcements sparked a wave of celebration online. Local BTS fan clubs, collectively known as ARMY, flooded X and Instagram with congratulatory posts, while Sabrina Carpenter's win for Album of the Year was widely shared on Abu Dhabi-based pop culture accounts. The 2026 ceremony reflected the AMAs' audience-focused voting system, with results shaped by fan engagement across music sales, streaming and social activity, a defining feature The National has previously highlighted about the show.
With K-pop, US pop and emerging global acts sharing the top trophies, the 2026 AMAs reinforced the increasingly borderless nature of mainstream music, a trend UAE listeners have helped drive through one of the region's most active streaming markets.
