The American Music Awards give out a lot of honors and trophies. Along with the fan-voted awards, the show also honors artists with special awards. In 2026, Billy Idol is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a press release on May 14, CBS announced that rock legend Billy Idol will be honored with the prestigious award. Idol is being recognized for his incomparable career and body of work, unparalleled contributions to music, and continued influence on generations of artists and fans.
The icon will also perform a medley of some of his biggest hits, marking his first time on the AMAs stage since 2004, where he presented and performed. He released three albums with the band, Generation X, as well as many solo albums.
Idol is known for his hits such as “Dancing with Myself,” “White Wedding,” “Rebel Yell,” “Eyes Without a Face,” “Cradle of Love,” and more, which he is sure to perform in his medley. He released his latest album in 2025. A documentary about his life and career, Billy Idol Should Be Dead, was released earlier this year.
The AMAs honors the most influential artists and songs of today, along with unforgettable performances and special moments, in a multi-genre, cross-generational celebration of music. It is the world’s largest fan-voted award show, and has been since 1974.
The 2025 American Music Awards reached over 10 million unique viewers across its CBS and Paramount+ broadcast, which was the show’s largest audience since 2019. How will it do this year?
Here is everything we know about the 2026 award show.
When are the 2026 AMAs?
The 52nd annual AMAs will air on Monday, May 25, on Memorial Day. The awards will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The live coast-to-coast show will air on CBS at 8/7c.
Who is hosting?
Queen Latifah is back to host after 30 years. She hasn’t hosted the award show since 1995, but has come back to perform numerous times since.
“I am so excited to return to the American Music Awards stage to host this year,” Latifah said in a press release. “It’s been an incredible year for music, and there is no better place to celebrate than in Vegas.”
Who is performing?
Hootie & the Blowfish, KATSEYE, Keith Urban, Maluma, Riley Green, SOMBR, Teddy Swims, and Twenty One Pilots will all perform.
Special award recipients Karol G and Billy Idol were also added to the lineup.
Additional performers to be announced soon.
Who are the presenters?
Presenters have not yet been announced. Please check back here for updates.
Who was nominated this year?
The most nominated artist with eight was Taylor Swift in the categories Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (The Life of a Showgirl), Song of the Year (“The Fate of Ophelia”), Best Music Video (“The Fate of Ophelia”), Song of the Summer (“Elizabeth Taylor”), Best Female Pop Artist, Best Pop Song (“The Fate of Ophelia”) and Best Pop Album (The Life of a Showgirl).
Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and SOMBR follow her with seven nominations each.
The nominees are measured by Billboard and Luminate, the entertainment industry’s most trusted data partner, and cover the data tracking eligibility period of March 21, 2025, through March 26, 2026.
Check out all of the nominees here.
How can you vote?
Fan voting is now open via VoteAMAs.com and the @AMAs Instagram profile in all awards categories. Voting closes on Friday, May 8, at 11:59:59 am PT, except for Social Song of the Year and Tour of the Year, which will remain open through the first 30 minutes of the AMAs broadcast.
Who is receiving special honors?
The American Music Awards typically give out the ICON Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. Billy Idol will receive the Lifetime Achievement award.
Karol G will receive the International Artist Award of Excellence, which has not been given out since 2009, when Whitney Houston was honored with it. Karol G has had her songs streamed over 128 billion times.
The International Artist Award of Excellence recognizes an artist whose music and cultural influence have resonated globally, inspiring and impacting audiences around the world. Other recipients have included Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, Beyoncé, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, and Rod Stewart.
How do I get tickets?
Tickets are now on sale on AXS.
Who has the most wins?
Swift tops the leaderboard with 40 wins. Michael Jackson received 26, and Whitney Houston won 22.
The 52nd American Music Awards, Monday, May 25, live coast to coast, 8/7c, CBS
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