Twelve new categories were introduced for the 2026 American Music Awards. The expansion added awards for touring, breakthrough artists, seasonal songs, vocal performance, throwback music, and Americana or folk.
The new categories included Breakout Tour, Breakthrough Album of the Year, Best Throwback Song, Best Vocal Performance, and Song of the Summer. The ceremony also added breakthrough artist categories for pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, Latin, and rock or alternative music, plus Best Americana/Folk Artist.
The number can be confused with the number of nominees in a category or with the total number of awards presented during the ceremony. It refers specifically to newly introduced categories, not renamed awards or the overall ceremony slate. The 2026 event was the 52nd American Music Awards and took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.