New fan-driven initiatives will bring global K-pop audiences closer to the awards through more opportunities to participate both online and offline
At a Glance
- World’s No.1 K-pop Awards Broadens Celebration Beyond the Stage Through “MAMA FAN FESTA.”
- MAMA AWARDS Continues SUPER FAN for 3rd Year to Create the Awards Together with Global Fans, Serving as Official Ambassadors for K-pop Fans in Selecting in FANS’ CHOICE Nominees.
- 2026 MAMA AWARDS to Be Held at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA from Nov 20-21
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM announced today that applications for 2026 MAMA AWARDS SUPER FAN are open, continuing the initiative for a third year as part of its ongoing efforts to create the world’s No.1 K-pop Awards together with fans worldwide. Alongside the announcement, it also unveiled “MAMA FAN FESTA,” a first-ever addition that reflects MAMA AWARDS’ deepening commitment to creating the world’s No.1 K-pop Awards together with fans.
Applications for 2026 MAMA AWARDS SUPER FAN are open from August 27 KST to September 6 KST through global K-pop content platform Mnet Plus. The SUPER FAN was first introduced in 2024 to reflect diverse global K-pop fans’ voices, enhance fan voting process and encourage K-pop fan engagement. Last year, roughly 650,000 fans applied.
MAMA AWARDS SUPER FANs serve as official ambassadors representing global K-pop fans in selecting FANS’ CHOICE nominees of MAMA AWARDS and receive a special certified ID card. Every year, MAMA AWARDS has continuously reflected global K-pop trends and fan voices through the FANS’ CHOICE category.
This year, the world’s No.1 K-pop Awards will present a wide range of new on-site and online events, reflecting its commitment to delivering a truly borderless experience and uniting fans around the world beyond the stage. As part of this expansion, MAMA FAN FESTA will be introduced for the first time, pairing the awards ceremony with new on- and offline programs and special collaborations where fans can enjoy and experience MAMA AWARDS in their own way – transforming MAMA AWARDS into a full-scale global celebration created together with fans.
First launched in 1999 as Korea’s first music video ceremony by CJ ENM’s music channel Mnet, the awards rebranded as MAMA AWARDS in 2009 from the Mnet Asian Music Awards, underscoring its commitment to go global. Since then, MAMA AWARDS has been at the forefront of K-pop’s global expansion by hosting the ceremony across the world, including Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan and the United States. In 2024, the awards marked a historic milestone by hosting the awards for the first time in the United States before continuing in Japan. In recognition of its global impact, 2024 MAMA AWARDS won the Best General Entertainment Programme at the Asian Academy Creative Awards in 2025.
Presented by title sponsor Visa, 2026 MAMA AWARDS will take place over two days from November 20-21 at KYOCERA DOME OSAKA in Osaka, Japan and will stream live worldwide via Mnet Plus.
