Music News | Breaking Down the American Music Awards 2026 Nominees: Who Will Take Home the Title?

Breaking Down the American Music Awards 2026 Nominees: Who Will Take Home the Title?

The American Music Awards 2026 nominees have been officially announced, showcasing the best and brightest talents in the music industry. From breakout stars to seasoned veterans, the nominees represent a diverse range of genres and styles, reflecting the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of American music. Stay tuned as we countdown to the awards show to see who will take home the prestigious honors in each category.

Music News: American Music Awards 2026 Nominees

Taylor Swift leads the nominations for the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs).

The pop superstar has secured the most nods ahead of this year’s ceremony, with eight nominations in total.

The Bad Blood hitmaker, already the most-awarded artist in AMA history with 40 wins, is nominated in several top categories this year, including Album of the Year for The Life of a Showgirl, Song of the Year for The Fate of Ophelia, and Artist of the Year.

Close behind Swift are Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, Sombr and Morgan Wallen, who have each earned seven nominations.

Carpenter and Wallen are both in contention for Album, Song and Artist of the Year, while Dean and Sombr are nominated for Best New Artist, among other major categories.

Dean and Sombr are also among this year’s first-time nominees, alongside RAYE, Role Model, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, BigXthaPlug, Leon Thomas and Sienna Spiro.

Winners will be decided by fan vote, with voting now open.

The ceremony, hosted by Queen Latifah, is set to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on 25 May.

Here are the main categories:

Artist of the Year

Bad Bunny 

Bruno Mars 

BTS

Harry Styles

Justin Bieber

Kendrick Lamar

Lady Gaga

Morgan Wallen 

Sabrina Carpenter

Taylor Swift 

New Artist of the Year

Alex Warren

Ella Langley 

KATSEYE 

Leon Thomas

Olivia Dean 

sombr

Album of the Year

Cardi B – AM I THE DRAMA?

Fuerza Regida – 111xpantia

Justin Bieber – SWAG

Lady Gaga – Mayhem

Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving

Playboi Carti – MUSIC 

Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend 

Tate McRae – So Close To What

Taylor Swift -The Life of a Showgirl

Song of the Year

Alex Warren – Ordinary

Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas

HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – Golden

Kehlani – Folded

Leon Thomas – MUTT

Morgan Wallen – I’m The Problem

Olivia Dean – Man I Need

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild 

sombr – back to friends

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

Collaboration of the Year

BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – All The Way

David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – Gone Gone Gone

Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae – What I Want

PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – Stateside

Shaboozey, Jelly Roll – Amen

Best Music Video

KATSEYE – Gnarly

ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – Berghain

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

Tyla – CHANEL

Best Soundtrack

F1 The Album

Hazbin Hotel: Season Two

KPop Demon Hunters 

Wicked: For Good

Charli XCX – Wuthering Heighs

Tour of the Year

Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter Tour

Kendrick Lamar, SZA – Grand National Tour

Lady Gaga – The Mayhem Ball

Oasis – Oasis Live ’25 Tour

Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour

Best Male Pop Artist

Alex Warren

Benson Boone

Ed Sheeran

Harry Styles

Justin Bieber

Best Female Pop Artist

Lady Gaga 

Olivia Dean

Sabrina Carpenter

Tate McRae

Taylor Swift

Best Pop Song

Alex Warren – Ordinary

HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami) – Golden

Olivia Dean – Man I Need

Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild

Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

Best Pop Album 

Lady Gaga – Mayhem

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving 

Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend

Tate McRae – So Close To What

Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl

Best R&B Album

Bruno Mars – The Romantic

Justin Bieber – SWAG

Leon Thomas – MUTT

Mariah the Scientist – HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY

Summer Walker – Finally Over It

Best Rock/Alternative Album

Sleep Token – Even In Arcadia

sombr – I Barely Know Her

Tame Impala – Deadbeat

Twenty One Pilots – Breach

Zach Bryan – With Heaven On Top

Image: Dick Clark Productions – Public Domain

Author: Brad LeBeau (promotionmusicnews.com)
Cats: News,American Music Award
Hashtags: #American #Music #Awards #Nominees