2026 MAMA AWARDS unveils nominees as Fans’ Choice voting opens

The 2026 MAMA AWARDS has revealed this year’s nominees ahead of its two-day ceremony in Osaka, Japan, on 21 and 22 November.

Major categories include Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Artist, group and solo artist prizes, plus awards for vocal, dance, rap, band, OST, music video and choreography performances.

Among the artists and groups appearing across the nominations are BTS, BLACKPINK, aespa, ATEEZ, BIGBANG, ENHYPEN, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, NMIXX, Stray Kids, TXT and ATEEZ, alongside solo nominees including Hwasa, Taeyeon, Taeyang, Taeyong, Yeonjun and Yena.

Album of the Year eligibility is limited to releases with at least one million physical sales. Its nominees include albums by &TEAM, aespa, ATEEZ, BLACKPINK, BTS, ENHYPEN, IVE, Stray Kids, TWS and TXT.

Fans in Europe and worldwide can take part in the first Fans’ Choice Male and Fans’ Choice Female voting round via Mnet Plus until 22 October at 11:59 p.m. KST. The vote is weighted 90% Mnet Plus and 10% X activity.

The top 20 artists from each Fans’ Choice pre-vote will progress to round two, running from 28 October, 6 p.m. KST, to 18 November, 11:59 p.m. KST. Most main prizes combine jury scores with Korean and global streaming, downloads and/or physical album sales, while music video and choreography awards are decided entirely by the jury.