With eight nods in total, Taylor Swift leads the nominations for the 2026 American Music Awards (AMAs,) 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. With 40 wins to her credit, the ?-old superstar singer/songwriter the most-awarded artist in AMA history.
Close behind Swift for this this awards are Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, Sombr and Morgan Wallen, each of whom have earned seven nominations.
With Carpenter and Wallen in contention for Album, Song and Artist of the Year, Dean and Sombr are nominated for Best New Artist, among other major categories.
In addition to Taylor, Bad Bunny, Bruno Mars, BTS, Harry Styles, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga are all contenders for Artist of the Year.
Along with RAYE, Role Model, Alex Warren, KATSEYE, Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, BigXthaPlug, Leon Thomas and Sienna Spiro, Dean and Sombr are also among this year’s first-time nominees.
With winners decided on by fan vote, the 2026 award ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25 wil hosted by Queen Latifah, is set to take place .
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
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Dick Clark Productions – Public Domain