MAMA Awards 2026: Dates, Venue, Fan Events & What to Know
The 2026 MAMA AWARDS is returning this November, bringing one of K-pop’s biggest annual award ceremonies to Japan.
CJ ENM has confirmed that the 2026 MAMA AWARDS will take place over two days at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. This year’s event will also introduce MAMA FAN FESTA, a new collection of on-site and online activities designed to give fans more ways to participate in the MAMA experience.
When Are the MAMA Awards 2026?
The 2026 MAMA AWARDS will take place on:
November 20–21, 2026
The event will be held at:
Kyocera Dome Osaka, Osaka, Japan
The ceremony will also be available to international audiences through a worldwide livestream on Mnet Plus.
Where Will MAMA Awards 2026 Be Held?
MAMA Awards 2026 will take place at Kyocera Dome Osaka, one of Japan’s major stadium venues.
The two-day event continues MAMA’s international approach. The awards have previously been held in several locations outside South Korea, including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Macao and the United States.
MAMA FAN FESTA Is Coming in 2026
One of the biggest new additions for this year’s event is MAMA FAN FESTA.
CJ ENM describes the initiative as a new expansion of MAMA’s fan experience, combining the awards ceremony with additional on-site and online programs.
The goal is to give fans more opportunities to participate in MAMA beyond simply watching the main awards ceremony.
The new festival-style approach will include special programs and collaborations connected to the 2026 MAMA AWARDS.
What Is MAMA SUPER FAN?
The MAMA AWARDS SUPER FAN initiative is returning for its third year in 2026.
SUPER FAN gives selected global K-pop fans an opportunity to participate in the awards process as representatives of the wider fan community.
One of their roles is helping select nominees for the FANS’ CHOICE category.
Applications for the 2026 SUPER FAN program were held through the global K-pop platform Mnet Plus. CJ ENM said approximately 650,000 fans applied in the previous year, highlighting the scale of global participation in the program.
MAMA Awards 2026 FANS’ CHOICE
Fan participation remains an important part of the MAMA AWARDS.
The FANS’ CHOICE category allows global K-pop fans to have a direct role in determining award results.
The SUPER FAN initiative was created to strengthen that fan-driven element by incorporating voices from different parts of the global K-pop community.
More information about the 2026 nominees, voting periods and final voting procedures is expected to be announced through MAMA’s official channels.
MAMA Awards Expands Beyond the Main Ceremony
The introduction of MAMA FAN FESTA reflects a broader expansion of the event.
Rather than focusing only on the awards ceremony itself, the 2026 edition will include additional activities designed to connect artists and fans both online and offline.
This means fans attending in person may have more opportunities to experience MAMA-related activities around the main ceremony.
MAMA Awards 2026 Global Livestream
Fans who cannot attend the event in Osaka will be able to follow the ceremony through a global livestream.
CJ ENM has confirmed that MAMA Awards 2026 will stream worldwide through Mnet Plus.
Additional information about streaming times and regional availability should be confirmed closer to the event.
What About the MAMA 2026 Lineup?
At this stage, the complete performer lineup has not yet been announced.
The artist lineup, award nominees, performance details and other ceremony information are expected to be revealed in stages as the November event approaches.
K-pop fans can therefore expect more announcements throughout the coming weeks.
Why MAMA Awards 2026 Is Different
The 2026 edition introduces several changes and expansions:
- Two-day awards ceremony
- Kyocera Dome Osaka as the venue
- MAMA FAN FESTA
- Third year of the SUPER FAN initiative
- Continued fan participation through FANS’ CHOICE
- Worldwide livestream through Mnet Plus
Together, these additions expand MAMA from a traditional awards ceremony into a broader fan-focused K-pop event.
What’s Next for MAMA Awards 2026?
More details are expected before the November ceremony, including:
- Artist lineup
- Award nominees
- Voting schedules
- Performance announcements
- MAMA FAN FESTA activities
- Ticket information
- Livestream details
- Presenters and special stages
The main dates to remember are November 20 and 21, 2026, when MAMA Awards returns to Kyocera Dome Osaka.
MAMA Awards 2026 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | 2026 MAMA AWARDS |
| Dates | November 20–21, 2026 |
| Venue | Kyocera Dome Osaka |
| Location | Osaka, Japan |
| Organizer | CJ ENM |
| Fan Initiative | MAMA SUPER FAN |
| New Addition | MAMA FAN FESTA |
| Fan Award | FANS’ CHOICE |
| Global Streaming | Mnet Plus |
| Performer Lineup | To be announced |
Follow MAMA Awards 2026 Updates
MAMA Awards 2026 is set to return with a two-day ceremony and an expanded fan experience through MAMA FAN FESTA.
As CJ ENM announces the performer lineup, nominees, voting details and additional event information, KWaveHub will continue covering the latest MAMA Awards updates.
