BTS and CORTIS Each Land Three Nominations at the 2026 MTV VMAs… Set for a 'Best Group' Face-Off

BTS and CORTIS have each been nominated in three categories at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (2026 MTV VMAs), setting up one of the most closely watched nights of the K-pop year.

BTS were included in the 'Best Group' nominees announced on September 18th local time. Previously nominated for 'Song of the Year' and 'Best K-Pop' with 'SWIM,' the title track of their fifth studio album, 'ARIRANG,' they are now competing for trophies in three categories.

'Best Group' is a particularly meaningful category for BTS. They won the award for four consecutive years from 2019 through 2022, a record recognized as the most wins by any act in the category's history. With this nomination, BTS are now vying for their fifth 'Best Group' trophy, and whether they can extend their own record has become one of the night's biggest talking points.

CORTIS were also nominated for 'Best Group.' Eight acts are in the running: BTS, BLACKPINK, CORTIS, KATSEYE, British girl group FLO, American band Fuerza Regida, Geese, and Twenty One Pilots. The category has previously been won by BTS, by BLACKPINK in 2023 and 2025, and by SEVENTEEN in 2024, and CORTIS will face that field of senior groups just one year after their debut.

Including their earlier nominations for 'Best New Artist' and 'Best K-Pop,' CORTIS have received nominations in three categories at the 2026 MTV VMAs. After making their mark in major categories at a global music awards show within a year of debut, expectations are growing for their chances of winning.

'Best Group' is decided by fan voting, which runs from September 21st through September 24th on MTV's Instagram Stories in a bracket format, putting the result squarely in the hands of the fandoms. The 2026 MTV VMAs will then take place on September 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Snoop Dogg. Fans around the world are watching to see whether BTS will extend their record for the most 'Best Group' wins and what results CORTIS will achieve in the three categories they reached just one year after debut.