CJ ENM will stage the 2026 MAMA AWARDS at Osaka’s Kyocera Dome on November 20 and 21, extending one of Korea’s longest-running music award shows into a major Japanese fan event. The company announced the plan at a Seoul press briefing on October 29, describing the ceremony as a two-part program that will combine artist awards, work-focused honors and large-scale collaborative performances. The event is significant both for its venue and for the way it is being designed around the wider K-pop audience in Japan, one of the genre’s most important overseas markets. The first night, branded “Chapter 1,” will include fan-voted Fans’ Choice Top 10 awards, rookie prizes and artist categories for groups and solo performers. The second night, “Chapter 2,” will focus more heavily on the music itself, including a newly introduced Best Song Top 10 category and awards covering digital releases, albums and music videos. Organizers said the production will also feature collaborations with other cultural fields, including film, animation and visual art.
For international fans traveling to Osaka, the ceremony will not be limited to the stadium. MAMA Fan Festa, a new offline fan program, is scheduled to begin on November 9 at several central Osaka locations, including the HEP FIVE Ferris wheel area, Midosuji and Namba Square. Planned activities include a stamp rally and food-and-beverage collaborations, creating a citywide layer around the main event. The 2026 edition continues MAMA’s long relationship with Japan. CJ ENM said Japan is the world’s second-largest music market and has played a central role in K-pop’s international growth. Holding the awards at Kyocera Dome also places the ceremony in a familiar setting for major Japanese and international touring acts.
Safety was another topic at the briefing, particularly after last year’s fatal fire during an event in Hong Kong prompted wider discussion about emergency planning at large entertainment gatherings. CJ ENM said the Osaka production will use dedicated risk-management personnel and Japan-specific procedures, including protocols related to earthquake intensity. The announcement arrives as K-pop award shows increasingly function as destination events rather than one-night broadcasts. By combining the ceremony with fan activities across Osaka, MAMA is positioning its 2026 edition as both a televised awards program and a broader cultural experience for visitors from Japan and abroad.