The 2026 MAMA Awards take place Friday, Nov. 20 and Saturday, Nov. 21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan, and both nights stream live worldwide on Mnet Plus.
The two-night show features ENHYPEN, BIGBANG, IVE and LE SSERAFIM, so here’s everything to know before you tune in.
(via MAMA Awards)
- Dates: Nov. 20 (Chapter 1) and Nov. 21 (Chapter 2)
- Venue: Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
- Where to watch: Mnet Plus, live worldwide
- Fans’ Choice voting: Open on Mnet Plus through Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. KST
When and Where Are the 2026 MAMA Awards?
CJ ENM announced the ceremony for Nov. 20 and 21, with Visa as the title sponsor.
It’s the third time the awards have been held at Kyocera Dome Osaka, following editions in 2022 and 2024.
This year’s theme is “A Music Interstellar,” and the production will use a 360-degree stage so more of the dome gets a clear view.
How Can You Watch the 2026 MAMA Awards?
Both nights stream live on Mnet Plus, and organizers haven’t yet shared a host or start times for the ceremony or the red carpet.
The first-ever MAMA Fan Festa runs on Mnet Plus from Nov. 9 to 21, with events around Osaka’s HEP FIVE, Midosuji Avenue and Namba Plaza.
We’ll update this guide once exact start times are confirmed.
Who Is Performing on Nov. 20?
Chapter 1 features ALLDAY PROJECT, ALPHA DRIVE ONE, BABYMONSTER, CL, ENHYPEN, Hearts2Hearts, ILLIT, INI, LNGSHOT, MODYSSEY, NCT WISH, RESCENE and TREASURE.
Performers from Street World Fighter: Directors’ War are also on the bill.
Looking for more on the lineup? Read our interview with BABYMONSTER and our interview with ALPHA DRIVE ONE.
Who Is Performing on Nov. 21?
Chapter 2 includes &TEAM, BIGBANG, CORTIS, Hwasa, IVE, izna, KiiiKiii, KO1KEYZ, LE SSERAFIM, Nayeon, WOODZ and ZEROBASEONE.
BIGBANG’s set is one to watch, since the group is also nominated for Artist of the Year.
Who Is Nominated for the Biggest Awards?
The Artist of the Year nominees include aespa, BIGBANG, BLACKPINK, BTS, ENHYPEN, IVE, LE SSERAFIM, Stray Kids and TOMORROW X TOGETHER.
Album of the Year is limited to albums that sold more than 1 million copies, with BTS’s ARIRANG, BLACKPINK’s DEADLINE and Stray Kids’ THIS & THAT among the nominees.
Best Female Group nominees are aespa, BABYMONSTER, BLACKPINK, Hearts2Hearts, ILLIT, IVE, LE SSERAFIM and NMIXX.
How Do You Vote for Fans’ Choice?
Voting happens on Mnet Plus, with votes on X also counting toward results.
Round 2 runs through Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m. KST, which is 9:59 a.m. ET, and the top 20 artists in each Fans’ Choice category advance to it.
Awards season is just getting started, so you can also catch up on everything to know about the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Looking for more K-pop? Check out our latest interview with NCT DREAM.
