The 2026 MAMA Awards Best Male Group category features a mix of established K-pop acts and newer groups. This KWaveHub article lists the nominees shown in the nomination graphic reviewed for this report, explains the purpose of the category and considers which names fans may want to watch as the ceremony approaches.
The awards are scheduled for November 20–21, 2026, at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka. Confirm event updates through the official MAMA Awards page and CJ ENM’s announcement. Our complete 2026 MAMA nominees guide includes other categories.
What does Best Male Group recognize?
Best Male Group is a group-level award recognizing a boy group’s work during the relevant award period. Depending on the official criteria, factors can include music releases, audience response, industry recognition and performance across the eligibility window. The category is different from a song-specific award: it focuses on the group rather than only one track, choreography or music video. Check the official MAMA rules for the exact 2026 evaluation method.
2026 MAMA Awards Best Male Group nominees
- BTS
- TOMORROW X TOGETHER
- ATEEZ
- BIGBANG
- CORTIS
- ENHYPEN
- NCT WISH
- Stray Kids
Explore more with KWaveHub’s group profiles and CORTIS members profile. You can also browse the latest K-pop news.
Who could take home Best Male Group?
BTS, TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ATEEZ, BIGBANG, ENHYPEN and Stray Kids bring established histories and recognizable fan communities to the discussion, while CORTIS and NCT WISH add a newer-generation perspective to the field. That context makes them names to watch, but it does not establish a ranking or predict the result. A fair comparison needs verified data from the official eligibility period and a clear understanding of the award’s published criteria.
Before calling a frontrunner, fans should compare each nominee’s eligible-period releases, official performance indicators where available, critical response and any voting information released by Mnet. Social-media buzz can be interesting, but it is not the same as the official scoring method.
Why the category is worth following
The nominee list spans groups with different sounds, career stages and audiences. That makes the category a useful snapshot of the breadth of boy-group K-pop in 2026. Follow the complete MAMA nominations list and KWaveHub’s Awards & Events coverage as the ceremony gets closer.
Frequently asked questions
How many Best Male Group nominees are shown?
The nomination graphic reviewed for this article shows eight groups. Confirm the final official list on Mnet Plus.
Is Best Male Group the same as Best Dance Performance — Male Group?
No. Best Male Group is a group-level category, while Best Dance Performance — Male Group focuses on a nominated performance or song in the dance category.
Editorial note: This article transcribes nominee names from the supplied nomination graphic. Predictions are intentionally framed as analysis, not confirmed outcomes.
Top 3 contenders for Best Male Group
Provisional editorial ranking—not an official score forecast. MAMA’s past category explanations describe combining music-industry evaluation with music-performance data for major awards, but the precise 2026 Best Male Group formula must be confirmed from current official rules.
- BTS: a high-profile contender with broad international reach and multiple category entries. Compare verified eligible-period performance before treating the group as a statistical leader.
- Stray Kids: an established global act with a performance-focused identity and a strong comparison case in this field.
- ATEEZ: a notable contender with both group-level and performance-category visibility. Its position depends on comparable official data and the final judging framework.
This list is a provisional editorial watchlist, not a claim about unpublished scores. See CJ ENM’s criteria background, the full nominee guide and Mnet Plus official updates.
Leave a Reply