Ready to celebrate some of the biggest names in music, the American Music Awards are officially returning on May 25. Putting a spotlight on the year’s most popular artists and unforgettable moments, the AMAs decided there was only one city big enough to house such an event – Las Vegas. Bringing the fan-voted awards show back to the entertainment capital of the world, the live broadcast promises a night filled with star power and major performances.
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While details surrounding performance, special appearance, and nominees will be released at a later date, producers announced that the AMAs will broadcast on May 25, which is Memorial Day. Following the same formula as last year, the ceremony changed venues. In 2025, it was held at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. For 2026, the AMAs moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The decision to keep the Memorial Day schedule might have to do with the increase in ratings the AMAs noticed last year. Hosted by Jennifer Lopez, the event brought in over 10 million views across CBS and Paramount+. With encores showing on MTV, BET, and CMT, producers revealed a 38% increase in viewership.
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When Will The American Music Awards Release The Nominations
Aside from releasing the schedule, the AMAs will also announce the nominations on April 14. Allowing fans to cast their vote for their favorite artists and songs, voting will stay open until May 8. And since fans decide the winners, the AMAs remain one of the few major awards shows driven entirely by the audience.
Again, not sharing a performance lineup, fans can expect a diverse group of artists. Just last year, Janet Jackson, Rod Stewart, Blake Shelton, Benson Boone, Gwen Stefani, Lainey Wilson, and more took the stage. Offering a voice from nearly every genre, the ceremony aims to showcase the wide range of talent shaping today’s music scene.
For those not wanting to miss a single moment of the AMAs, the broadcast will kick off at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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