2026 MAMA AWARDS November Schedule and How to Watch
The 2026 MAMA AWARDS will take place on November 20 and 21 at Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. Find the ceremony and red carpet times for each day, how to watch on Mnet Plus, and the distinction between fan events and invitation tickets.
The main ceremonies are scheduled to start at 18:00 on November 20 and 15:00 on November 21, 2026, Korean time.
There is no time difference between Korea and Japan, so the times listed in Japanese announcements apply as given.
CJ ENM has announced a worldwide live broadcast via Mnet Plus.
MAMA FAN FESTA will take place in Osaka and on Mnet Plus from November 9 to 21, 2026 (Japan dates).
Reward Card general invitation tickets do not include red carpet admission.
The 2026 MAMA AWARDS is a K-POP awards ceremony taking place on November 20 and 21 (Japan). The venue is Kyocera Dome Osaka in Japan. The main ceremonies start at 18:00 and 15:00, respectively, Korean time. Viewers in Korea can check Mnet Plus broadcast notices for viewing options.
The event dates are based on CJ ENM’s March 31, 2026 announcement, and the detailed times are based on Mnet Japan’s event guide.
2026 MAMA Schedule and Key Information
The awards ceremony is divided into CHAPTER 1 and CHAPTER 2. There is no time difference between Korea and Japan. The times below apply equally in both countries.
Session | Date | Red Carpet Start | Main Ceremony Start
CHAPTER 1 | Friday, November 20, 2026 | 15:30 | 18:00
CHAPTER 2 | Saturday, November 21, 2026 | 12:30 | 15:00
Item | Confirmed Information
Venue | Kyocera Dome Osaka, Japan
Organizer | CJ ENM
Worldwide Live Broadcast | Digital platforms including Mnet Plus
Related Event | MAMA FAN FESTA
End Time and Total Duration | Not specified in the official notices reviewed
Mnet Japan states that broadcast and streaming dates, times, and content may change without notice. Check the final schedule in the Mnet Japan event guide.
What Kind of Awards Ceremony Is It?
MAMA AWARDS is a music awards ceremony organized by CJ ENM. It began in 1999 as the Video Music Awards. In 2009, it expanded into an Asian music awards ceremony. In 2022, it was rebranded under its current name.
The 2026 event expands fan participation programs beyond the main ceremonies. In its March announcement of the event, CJ ENM announced related online and offline events. Its November 6 announcement reaffirmed plans for the awards ceremony and fan festival.
MAMA Broadcasts and Viewing Options in Korea
Information on watching online in Korea is available on Mnet Plus. CJ ENM announced a worldwide live broadcast through this platform. However, that announcement does not specify whether viewing in Korea is free or whether login is required.
Viewing Option | Scope of Official Information | What to Distinguish
Mnet Plus | Worldwide live broadcast | Check event-specific broadcast notices for access requirements in Korea
Mnet Smart+ | Online streaming in Japan | Japanese paid plans do not establish viewing requirements in Korea
Mnet, a Japanese CS TV channel | TV broadcast in Japan | Separate from TV channel schedules in Korea
The event and broadcast announcement can be found in CJ ENM’s March 31 notice. A separate event page is also available on Mnet Plus. Actual access requirements should be determined from that page and the live broadcast notices.
Distinguishing MAMA Start Times from Red Carpet Start Times
The red carpet starts at a different time from the main ceremony. According to the table above, the start times are 2 hours and 30 minutes apart on both days. This does not indicate the total duration of the red carpet event.
Check each platform’s notices for the extent of its red carpet coverage. Japanese broadcast information alone does not establish the scope of distribution in Korea. Replay availability must also be checked separately from the live broadcast announcement.
MAMA FAN FESTA and Super Fans
MAMA FAN FESTA runs from November 9 to 21, 2026 (Japan). It takes place across Osaka and on Mnet Plus. This related event invites fan participation and starts before the main awards ceremony.
This schedule is specified in Mnet Japan’s event concept announcement. CJ ENM’s November 6 announcement also describes it as a fan festival newly introduced this year. The festival’s start date must therefore be distinguished from the main ceremony’s start date.
Super fans are covered as a separate category in official content. Mnet Plus event videos include SUPER FAN and SUPER FAN CHEER categories. The fact that related videos have been posted does not mean recruitment is currently open.
What to Watch For
The points to watch confirmed by official announcements are the event concept and expanded fan participation. This year’s concept is A MUSIC INTERSTELLAR. It expresses a journey among the stars of music.
· Stage production: Watch how the announced concept is expressed on the actual stage.
· Nomination categories: The official video list includes nominee announcements for categories such as vocal, dance, and choreography.
· Fan participation: On-site events in Osaka and online programs linked to the main ceremonies are planned.
· Performer distinctions: Performing artists and award presenters have different roles, so their lists should be checked separately.
Appearing in a pre-event support video does not mean appearing as a performer at the main ceremony. Check the official performance lineup to confirm appearances on each date. Being nominated for an award also does not establish that an artist will attend in person.
Event Invitations and Red Carpet Admission
Standard invitations from the Reward Card event include admission to the awards ceremony only. Invitations that include RED CARPET allow entry to both events. This distinction applies to the prizes offered in that event.
Mnet Plus’s “Reward Card for MAMA Important Information” states the following:
Each person receives 1 invitation, and only the winner may enter.
Event Invitation Type | Awards Ceremony Admission | Red Carpet Admission
Standard invitation | Included | Not included
Invitation including RED CARPET | Included | Included
According to the same notice, winners must pay their own transportation and accommodation costs. Transferring and reselling invitations are also prohibited. Violations may result in cancellation of the prize.
Additional conditions apply to winners who are minors. Those under 19 must obtain consent from a legal guardian and submit documentation. They must be accompanied by a legal guardian to attend. Detailed conditions are available in the official Reward Card information.
This invitation notice does not explain the conditions for tickets sold to the general public. Plans to attend in person should be based on the actual admission rights included in the ticket held. Broadcast start times must also be distinguished from on-site entry times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Viewers in Korea Need to Convert Japanese Times?
No conversion is needed. Korea and Japan use the same time. Broadcast times listed in Japanese notices apply unchanged in Korea.
Can I Watch for Free on Mnet Plus?
The CJ ENM event announcement reviewed does not establish whether viewing is free. The announcement specifies the live broadcast platform. Check Mnet Plus’s event-specific information for fees and login requirements.
Do I Need a Japanese Paid Plan to Watch in Korea?
Information about Japanese paid plans does not mean viewers in Korea must subscribe. Mnet Smart+ and Japanese CS TV broadcasts are viewing options for Japan. For online viewing in Korea, check Mnet Plus’s broadcast requirements.
Are the Advance Videos on the Official Page Replays of the Main Ceremony?
Advance promotional videos and main ceremony replays are different. The official video list includes teasers and nominee announcement videos. This list alone does not confirm that full replays of the main ceremonies will be available.
Does Participating in the Fan Festival Also Give Me Admission to the Main Ceremony?
The fan festival schedule itself does not grant admission to the main ceremony. Admission to the main ceremony and red carpet must be checked for each ticket. What is included in Reward Card invitations also varies by type.
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