The MAMA Awards 2026 are almost here, and K-pop fans have plenty to look forward to. Kpop’s biggest music awards will bring together popular K-pop groups and solo artists for two nights of performances and celebrations.
This year’s ceremony will take place in Osaka, Japan, on November 20 and 21. The nominations are already out; BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, Stray Kids, and several other major artists competing for awards.
Here is everything you need to know about the MAMA Awards 2026, including the dates, venue, performers, hosts, and live streaming details.
When and Where Will the MAMA Awards 2026 Take Place?
The MAMA Awards 2026 will take place on Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, at the Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan.
The venue has hosted major concerts and music events, making it a familiar destination for K-pop fans. Organizers CJ ENM confirmed the dates and venue in March 2026. The event will also be available through online streaming for international viewers.
The ceremony will follow a two-part format called Chapter 1 and Chapter 2, with separate red carpet events and award presentations on each day.
MAMA Awards 2026 Schedule and Timings
The official Japanese broadcast schedule confirms the following times:
| Event | Date | Japan Standard Time (JST) |
| Chapter 1 Red Carpet | November 20 | 3:30 PM |
| Chapter 1 Awards Ceremony | November 20 | 6:00 PM |
| Chapter 2 Red Carpet | November 21 | 12:30 PM |
| Chapter 2 Awards Ceremony | November 21 | 3:00 PM |
Fans in other countries should check the time difference to watch the ceremony live. The organizers could also make changes to the broadcast schedule closer to the event.
MAMA Awards 2026 Performer Lineup
The performer lineup is packed with both veteran acts and rising stars:
Day 1 Performers: November 20
- ALLDAY PROJECT
- ALPHA DRIVE ONE
- BABYMONSTER
- CL
- ENHYPEN
- Hearts2Hearts
- ILLIT
- INI
- LNGSHOT
- MODYSSEY
- NCT WISH
- RESCENE
- TREASURE
- Street World Fighter: Directors’ War performers
CL’s appearance is one of the major attractions, along with performances from ENHYPEN, BABYMONSTER, and TREASURE.
Day 2 Performers: November 21
- &TEAM
- BIGBANG
- CORTIS
- Hwasa
- IVE
- izna
- KiiiKiii
- KO1KEYZ
- LE SSERAFIM
- Nayeon (TWICE)
- WOODZ
- ZEROBASEONE
Special Stages
A special stage will bring together the veteran duo Panic with younger artists like WOODZ, ZEROBASEONE’s Kim Tae Rae, CORTIS members Martin and Seonghyeon, ALLDAY PROJECT’s Woochan, and Hearts2Hearts’ Yuha.
ENHYPEN will deliver a special performance inspired by the upcoming science-fiction film, Dune: Part Three. BIGBANG will collaborate with the popular Korean animated character, Dooly the Little Dinosaur for a special stage. CL and ALLDAY PROJECT will perform together for the first time under the theme “STILL THE BADDEST.”
Three rookie groups LNGSHOT, MODYSSEY, and TUIDE will share the stage for a performance built around a friendly competition. The organizers have also announced projects involving artist Lee Bae and Google Gemini.
Hosts and Theme
South Korean actor Park Bo Gum is announced as the host for both nights. He has hosted the ceremony several times and is returning for his eighth appearance as host.
The organizers confirmed his return on October 29. They also introduced him as the first official MAMA Awards Ambassador.
The “Good Boy” actor has been associated with the ceremony since 2017. Lee Dae Hwi and Choi Mina Sue have also been named as red carpet hosts.
This year’s concept is “A Music Interstellar,” which aims to pair K-pop acts with elements of film, animation, art, and artificial intelligence.
Presenters
The ceremony will also welcome actors, singers, and entertainment personalities to present awards. A total of 25 presenters were announced in October.
- Kim Yeon Koung
- Kim You Jung
- Kim Jae Won
- Kim Hye Soo
- Monika
- Moon Sang Min
- Shunsuke Michieda
- Seo In Young
- Seol In Ah
- Ong Seong Wu
- Yoo In Na
- Yoon Kyung Ho
- Lee Da Hee
- Lee Sang Yi
- Lee Sung Kyung
- Lee Sung Min
- Lee Junho
- Lee Chae Min
- Jang Keun Suk
- Jang Hang Jun
- Jo Yuri
- Choi Dae Hoon
- Kany Diabaté
- Heo Nam Jun
- Hwang Minhyun
MAMA Awards 2026 Nominees
The nominations for the MAMA Awards 2026 were announced on October 12. This year’s list features some of the biggest names in K-pop alongside newer artists.
BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, ATEEZ, and ENHYPEN are among the nominated groups. BIGBANG leads with eight nominations, including recognition for its members’ solo work. See the full list here.
How to Watch the MAMA Awards 2026 Live
Fans who cannot attend the ceremony in Osaka will still be able to watch the event online. CJ ENM has confirmed that the MAMA Awards 2026 will stream live worldwide through Mnet Plus. Additionally, the event will also be livestreamed on YouTube as part of a new partnership with Google.
Viewers can visit the official Mnet Plus website or use its mobile app to find the broadcast. In Japan, the ceremony will also air through Mnet Japan and Mnet Smart+. Japanese viewers can watch through supported television services or subscription plans.
