The 2026 MAMA Awards nominations have been announced, with BTS and BIGBANG among the most recognized acts ahead of this year’s ceremony in Japan.
The nominations, unveiled on October 12, highlight major names across the K-pop industry. BTS earned five nominations, including Artist of the Year, Best Male Group, and Album of the Year for ARIRANG. The group also received recognition for its songs SWIM and 2.0.
BIGBANG secured four group nominations, including Artist of the Year and Best Male Group. Members G-Dragon and Taeyang also received individual recognition for their solo work and collaborations.
Other nominated artists include BLACKPINK, aespa, Stray Kids, IVE, ENHYPEN, and TXT, reflecting a mix of established performers and newer generations of K-pop talent.
The 2026 MAMA Awards are scheduled to take place on November 20 and 21 in Osaka, Japan.
Fan voting opened October 12, with the first round running through October 22. The annual event celebrates achievements in Korean popular music, recognizing artists, albums, songs, and performances across multiple categories.