BTS Earns 2026 MTV VMA Song of the Year Nomination for 'SWIM' as ARIRANG Takes Over New York
At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, BTS has earned a nomination for Song of the Year with their track “SWIM,” featured on their fifth studio album, ARIRANG, which debuted in March 2026. This marks their first nomination in this category since 2021. Additionally, they are up for Best K-Pop for the same song. The group performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on August 1 and 2, 2026, and took part in BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK from July 24 to August 3. The VMAs are scheduled for September 27 in Los Angeles, with fan voting available until September 25. Other contenders include Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Dean. BTS's tour will extend into 2027.
Key facts
- BTS received a 2026 MTV VMA Song of the Year nomination for “SWIM” from the album ARIRANG.
- This is BTS's first Song of the Year nomination since 2021 with “Butter”.
- BTS also earned a Best K-Pop nomination for “SWIM”.
- ARIRANG was released in March 2026 and contains 14 tracks.
- BTS performed at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on August 1–2, 2026.
- BTS THE CITY ARIRANG NEW YORK ran from July 24 to August 3, 2026, across multiple New York venues.
- The 2026 VMAs will be held on September 27 in Los Angeles, airing on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
- Other Song of the Year nominees include Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson, RAYE, Olivia Dean, and HUNTR/X.
Entities
Artists
- BTS
- Madonna
- Sabrina Carpenter
- PinkPantheress
- Zara Larsson
- RAYE
- Olivia Dean
- HUNTR/X
- Jimmy Fallon
Institutions
- MTV
- MTV Video Music Awards
- HYBE
- Korean Cultural Center New York
- Grand Central Terminal
- MetLife Stadium
- Spotify
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Guggenheim Museum
- CBS
- Paramount+
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- New Jersey
- East Rutherford
- Los Angeles
- Manhattan
- Pier 17
- Grand Central Terminal
- Vanderbilt Hall
- Korean Cultural Center New York
- MetLife Stadium
- Guggenheim Museum
- South Korea