2026 MAMA AWARDS Unveils Full Artist Lineup Spanning Genres and Generations
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM today announced the second wave of artists set to perform at the 2026 MAMA AWARDS, bringing even more energy to the world’s No.1 K-POP Awards on November 20-21 at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA.
With a lineup spanning a wide range of genres and generations, 2026 MAMA AWARDS will unfold across two chapters over two days, set to captivate global audiences with unmatched performances and spectacular stage production that can only be seen at the MAMA AWARDS. The latest star-studded performing artist lineup is as follows: (in alphabetical order/ newly added artists in bold)
2026 MAMA AWARDS CHAPTER 1 (November 20)
ALLDAY PROJECT
ALPHA DRIVE ONE
BABY MONSTER
CL
ENHYPEN
Hearts2Hearts
ILLIT
INI
LNGSHOT
MODYSSEY
NCT WISH
RESCENE
Street World Fighter : Directors’ War
TREASURE
2026 MAMA AWARDS CHAPTER 2 (November 21)
BIGBANG
CORTIS
HWASA
IVE
izna
KiiKii
KO1KEYZ
LE SSERAFIM
NAYEON (TWICE)
WOODZ
ZEROBASEONE
&TEAM
The theme of the 2026 edition is “A MUSIC INTERSTELLAR,” evoking the feeling of journeying through a musical universe beyond time and space. With this unique theme, the 2026 MAMA Awards offers an iconic experience of discovering the power of music while connecting with artists and global fans throughout the universe. Every performance, along with the awards ceremony will be streamed live to fans worldwide on global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus.
Returning as title sponsor, Visa presents 2026 MAMA AWARDS, taking place over two days on November 20-21, at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, Japan and streaming live worldwide via Mnet Plus. Visa will also serve as the title sponsor of the newly launched MAMA FAN FESTA.
This year, MAMA AWARDS will present a wide range of new on-site and online events, reflecting its commitment to delivering a truly borderless experience and uniting fans around the world beyond the stage. An extension of the award ceremony, MAMA FAN FESTA will take place for the first time, running from November 9th to 21st offline, across the city of Osaka and online, on Mnet Plus. Pairing the awards ceremony with new on- and offline programs and special collaborations, fans will be able to enjoy and experience MAMA AWARDS in their own way. MAMA FAN FESTA will transform MAMA AWARDS into a full-scale global celebration created together with fans.
To stay updated on 2026 MAMA AWARDS and 2026 MAMA FAN FESTA, please visit 2026mama.com.
2026 MAMA AWARDS Nominations
2026 MAMA AWARDS nominations were announced on October 12 KST and fan voting also officially opened on the same day, with the FANS’ CHOICE 1st VOTE running through October 22 (KST) to select finalists for the FANS’ CHOICE MALE and FANS’ CHOICE FEMALE categories. FANS’ CHOICE 2nd VOTE will open on October 28 (KST). Fans can vote on global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus and X. Every year, the MAMA AWARDS has continuously reflected global K-pop trends and the voices of fans.
The album/song eligibility period runs from October 1 2025 throughout September 30 2026. The albums, songs and artists are assessed based on a holistic evaluation of global music sales and streaming data and a panel of music industry experts from Korea and abroad.
The complete list for ARTIST OF THE YEAR with VISA, SONG OF THE YEAR with VISA, ALBUM OF THE YEAR with VISA, FANS’ CHOICE OF THE YEAR with VISA, and FANS’ CHOICE MALE / FANS’ CHOICE FEMALE is available on Mnet Plus. This year also introduces BEST SONG TOP 10, a new category recognizing the year’s top 10 songs based on their performances on Korean and global music charts.
See the nominations list for this year’s categories below (in alphabetical order):
BEST NEW ARTIST
ALPHA DRIVE ONE
AND2BLE
EVAN
H//PE Princess
hrtz.wav
LNGSHOT
MODYSSEY
OURBIRTHDAY
TUIDE
UNCHILD
BEST MALE ARTIST
D.O.
TAEYANG
TAEYONG
YEONJUN
Young K
BEST FEMALE ARTIST
HWASA
IRENE
SOYEON
TAEYEON
YENA
BEST MALE GROUP
ATEEZ
BIGBANG
BTS
CORTIS
ENHYPEN
NCT WISH
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
BEST FEMALE GROUP
aespa
BABYMONSTER
BLACKPINK
Hearts2Hearts
ILLIT
IVE
LE SSERAFIM
NMIXX
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE SOLO
ONEW - TOUGH LOVE
TAEMIN - FLOAT
TAEYANG - LIVE FAST DIE SLOW
TAEYONG - WYLD
YEONJUN - Ice Cream
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE SOLO
BIBI - BUMPA
DAYOUNG - What's a girl to do
SOYEON - I'm gonna TOESA (Narr. KIAN84)
YENA - Catch Catch
YUNA - Ice Cream
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP
ATEEZ - BAD
BIGBANG - BiiiG
BOYNEXTDOOR - Hollywood Action
CORTIS - REDRED
RIIZE - Do your dance
Stray Kids - This & That
TWS - OVERDRIVE
ZEROBASEONE - TOP 5
BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE GROUP
aespa - LEMONADE
Hearts2Hearts - RUDE!
ILLIT - It's Me
I.O.I - Suddenly
IVE - BANG BANG
KiiiKiii - 404 (New Era)
LE SSERAFIM - SPAGHETTI (Feat. j-hope of BTS)
NMIXX - Blue Valentine
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE SOLO
HWASA - Good Goodbye
IU - Unknown Planet
JENNIE - Less than a Lover
Roy Kim - No Words Can Say
WOODZ - CINEMA
BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE GROUP
AKMU - Paradise of Rumors
BTS - SWIM
DAVICHI - TIME CAPSULE
DxS - Blue
MAMAMOO - 4 Flowers
BEST BAND PERFORMANCE
JANNABI - Just Kids
LUCY - All Ages
QWER - CEREMONY
Silica Gel - BIG VOID
Xdinary Heroes - Voyager
BEST RAP & HIP HOP PERFORMANCE
BIG Naughty - Nostalgia
HAON - Yarrr
NOWIMYOUNG - KOLOK COLOK
TREASURE - IF I
ZICO, Lilas - DUET
BEST COLLABORATION
aespa - WDA (Whole Different Animal) (Feat. G-DRAGON)
DAYOUNG X Jay Park - FLIRTY
LE SSERAFIM - SPAGHETTI (Feat. j-hope of BTS)
LE SSERAFIM, ILLIT, KATSEYE - ICONIC BY MISTAKE
Parc Jae Jung & SULLYOON - Always
BEST OST
Kim Min Seok (MeloMance) - Love Language (Can This Love Be Translated? OST)
MigakBoys - My Flavor (The Legend of Kitchen Soldier OST)
Sung Si Kyung - Anytime anyhow (Surely Tomorrow OST)
Suzy - A Day (EXchange4 OST)
Young K - Season of Us (My Royal Nemesis OST)
BEST MUSIC VIDEO with YouTube
BIGBANG - BiiiG
BTS - 2.0
HWASA - Good Goodbye
i-dle - Mono (Feat. skaiwater)
MEOVV - DDI RO RI
BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
ATEEZ - BAD
CORTIS - REDRED
ILLIT - It's Me
IVE - BANG BANG
YENA - Catch Catch
About CJ ENM
CJ ENM is a leading entertainment company founded in Korea in 1995. CJ ENM's entertainment division has been continuously shaping the next chapter of K-culture within the global entertainment industry, spanning media content, music, film, and performing arts. CJ ENM has created, produced and distributed globally-acclaimed content, including Oscar-winning film Parasite, Tony Award-winning musicals such as Kinky Boots, hit TV series such as Queen of Tears, globally successful music competition show I Can See Your Voice and more. CJ ENM is further pursuing opportunities to develop talent such as leading K-pop boy group ZEROBASEONE and global rookie sensation ALPHA DRIVE ONE. United under the slogan We live to discover Untold Originals, CJ ENM has three major production and distribution studios: a drama production powerhouse Studio Dragon, U.S.-based studio Fifth Season, and K-OTT content production studio CJ ENM STUDIOS. It also operates No.1 K-content platform TVING and global K-POP content platform Mnet Plus. CJ ENM also presents KCON, world’s largest K- Festival, and MAMA AWARDS, world's No.1 K-POP Awards, in order to bring K-culture experiences to people all over the world. To learn more about CJ ENM, please visit:
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