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Nominations are out with BTS and BIGBANG leading, Park Bo Gum returns as host, and the performer lineup keeps growing ahead of the Osaka ceremony.
⚡ Latest developments
- Oct 29 Park Bo Gum was confirmed to return as host of the 2026 MAMA Awards and to serve as the ceremony’s first-ever ambassador.
- Oct 29 The 2026 MAMA Awards announced special collaboration stages, adding new joint performances for fans to expect at the ceremony.
📅 Dates to know
Full schedule: MAMA Awards 2026 Tickets: Sale Date, Prices, Foreigner Guide
What this means for fans
- Fans’ Choice voting opened October 12 — international fans can vote, but reports noted the voting window is short, so check deadlines early.
- Watch for BABYMONSTER’s new single "DESERVE" from their October comeback before their stage.
- If attending or streaming, check the performer list — BIGBANG, CL, Hwasa, IVE, aespa, ENHYPEN, CORTIS and more are confirmed.
- Expect special collaboration stages and a 360-degree stage, the largest lineup reported so far.
01 What happened
| When | Nominations and Fans’ Choice voting began October 12; lineup and host news followed through October 29. The exact ceremony date has not been stated in reports covered here. |
|---|---|
| Where | Osaka, South Korea’s neighbor Japan, per reports that K-pop stars are preparing for the Osaka ceremony. Stage details beyond that have not been confirmed in the reports covered here. |
| What | The 2026 MAMA Awards announced nominations, performers, presenters, special collaboration stages, and Park Bo Gum as returning host and first-ever ambassador. |
02 Why it is happening
MAMA announced its nominations on October 12, opening Fans’ Choice voting the same day. BIGBANG leads the nominee count with BTS close behind, but the dance category nominations for BTS and BIGBANG, plus reports that criteria were changed to benefit HYBE, have fueled fan controversy.
03 How it has unfolded
- Oct 29 NewPark Bo Gum was confirmed to return as host of the 2026 MAMA Awards and to serve as the ceremony’s first-ever ambassador. — Soompi
- Oct 29 NewThe 2026 MAMA Awards announced special collaboration stages, adding new joint performances for fans to expect at the ceremony. — Soompi
- Oct 22 NewThe 2026 MAMA Awards announced its presenter lineup, adding a star-studded roster of presenters for the ceremony. — Soompi
- Oct 21 UpdateThe Grammy boycott debate turned toward K-pop acts that submitted, drawing discussion among fans of the MAMA Awards nominees. — The Korea Times
- Oct 16 DatesMore performers were added to the 2026 MAMA Awards lineup, with CL, Hwasa and IVE among the newly confirmed acts joining the ceremony’s stages. — ZAPZEE, InMusic Blog
- Oct 16 DatesBillboard published the full list of 2026 MAMA Awards performers, confirming BIGBANG, ENHYPEN, CORTIS and others will take the stage. — Billboard
- Oct 16 NewMore performers were announced for the 2026 MAMA Awards, adding BIGBANG, aespa, IVE, CORTIS and Hearts2Hearts to the lineup, expanding the stages international fans can expect at the ceremony. — Billboard, InMusic Blog
- Oct 14 NewSingle reportBABYMONSTER confirmed an October comeback with the new single "DESERVE", upcoming music that fans following the group’s MAMA Awards performance may want to watch for. — InMusic Blog
Earlier (9)
- Oct 13 UpdateReports accused the 2026 MAMA Awards of changing award criteria to benefit HYBE while allegedly disadvantaging a top female idol, fueling the ongoing nomination controversy. — Koreaboo
- Oct 13 UpdateMAMA 2026’s dance category nominations for BTS and BIGBANG sparked controversy among fans, adding to debate around this year’s nominee list. — Laodong.vn, The Indian Express
- Oct 13 UpdateReports highlighted that BIGBANG, BTS, BLACKPINK and aespa were leading the 2026 MAMA Awards nominations. — The Indian Express, Laodong.vn
- Oct 13 NewThe 2026 MAMA Awards announced its first performing lineup, reportedly including ENHYPEN, BABYMONSTER and LE SSERAFIM, giving international fans an early look at the ceremony’s stage. — Soompi, InMusic Blog
- Oct 13 UpdateReports detailed the full 2026 MAMA Awards nomination list, with BIGBANG leading the nominee count and BTS close behind, adding context for international fans planning to follow or vote. — Forbes, Yahoo
- Oct 12 NewThe 2026 MAMA Awards announced its nominations, including Album of the Year Daesang, Best Female Group, Best Music Video, dance performance and choreography categories, plus Best Collaboration nominees. — Koreaboo, Times Now
- Oct 12 UpdateFans’ Choice voting began following the nominations announcement, letting international fans vote for their favorites. — Soompi
- Oct 12 ResponseARMY questioned why BTS was left out of Best Male Dance and Choreography nominations, sparking debate over the snub. — Indiatimes, Business Upturn
- Oct 12 NewThe 2026 MAMA Awards nominations were announced, covering categories including Best Female Group, Best Music Video, best dance performance for male and female groups, and best choreography. — InMusic Blog, Business Upturn
04 Who is reporting it
- AND2BLE Breaks Their 1st-Week Sales Record In Just 5 Days With "Sequence 02: Attraction" — Soompi, Nov 1
- KiiiKiii’s Jiyu To Perform Seated At Today’s Event Following Foot Injury — Soompi, Oct 30
- Melon Music Awards 2026 Announces Nominees For Category Awards + TOP10 Winners — Soompi, Oct 30
- EXO’s Suho, Park Hee Soon, Ra Mi Ran, And Han Ji Eun Confirmed For New Film — Soompi, Oct 30
- 2026 MAMA AWARDS Announces Special Collaboration Stages — Soompi, Oct 29
- Guide To 2026 Year-End Shows And Upcoming Awards Shows: Schedules, Lineups, Nominees, And More — Soompi, Oct 29
- Park Bo Gum Returns As Host And Becomes First-Ever Ambassador Of 2026 MAMA AWARDS — Soompi, Oct 29
- XLOV’s Hyun To Sit Out Comeback Showcase Due To Injury — Soompi, Oct 27
- October Individual Rookie Idol Brand Reputation Rankings Announced — Soompi, Oct 26
- CRAVITY’s Beijing Fan Meeting Cancelled On The Day Of — Soompi, Oct 24
- 2026 SBS Gayo Daejeon Announces 1st Lineup — Soompi, Oct 23
- Melon Music Awards 2026 Announces Presenter Lineup — Soompi, Oct 23
96 more reports tracked.
05 Our guides on this
Questions people ask
When and where are the 2026 MAMA Awards?
Reports say K-pop stars are preparing for the ceremony in Osaka. An exact ceremony date has not been stated in the reports covered here.
Who is hosting the 2026 MAMA Awards?
Park Bo Gum returns as host and will also serve as the ceremony’s first-ever ambassador, confirmed October 29.
Who is performing at the 2026 MAMA Awards?
Confirmed acts include BIGBANG, ENHYPEN, CORTIS, aespa, IVE, Hearts2Hearts, BABYMONSTER, LE SSERAFIM, CL and Hwasa, with special collaboration stages announced.
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