The American Music Awards (AMAs) are one of the biggest annual music award shows in the United States. The AMAs recognize outstanding artists and performances across multiple genres, including pop, rock, R&B, hip hop, country, Latin, and more. If you want to attend the AMAs in person, you’ll need to get tickets, which can sell out quickly. Here’s what to know about buying tickets for the American Music Awards.
When and where are the AMAs held?
The American Music Awards are held in Los Angeles every year, traditionally in the fall. The ceremony has been held at the Microsoft Theater (formerly Nokia Theatre LA Live) since 2007. Prior to that, the AMAs were held at the Shrine Auditorium from 1973 to 2005. The exact date for the AMAs changes each year, but it’s typically in November.
For 2023, the AMAs will take place on Sunday, November 19 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The ceremony starts at 8pm ET/PT and will be broadcast live on ABC.
Who can perform at the AMAs?
The American Music Awards are unique in that nominees are determined based on performance data like album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring, and social engagement. This means that fans ultimately decide who gets nominated and wins AMAs through their consumption and engagement with music.
Any artist who met eligibility requirements during the one-year voting period can be nominated for American Music Awards. Nominees do not need to be present at the ceremony to win awards. However, most nominated artists do attend and many perform during the live telecast.
Some of the artists who performed at recent AMAs include:
- Bad Bunny
- BTS
- Jennifer Lopez
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Doja Cat
The AMAs aim to provide a wide variety of musical genres and showcase several performance styles each year to appeal to diverse audiences.
When do AMAs tickets go on sale?
Tickets for the American Music Awards typically go on sale to the general public 6-8 weeks before the ceremony. AMAs promoters and partners like American Express may also have pre-sales for cardholders and other insiders.
Here are the key dates for 2023 AMAs tickets:
| AMAs Ticket Sale | Date |
|---|---|
| Amex Card Member Pre-sale | October 3 at 10am PT |
| Venue/Radio Presales | October 5 at 10am PT |
| Public On-sale | October 7 at 10am PT |
As you can see, tickets will go on sale to the general public starting Saturday, October 7 at 10am Pacific Time. Prices and seating options will be available at this time.
Where can I get tickets to the AMAs?
There are a few ways to get tickets to attend the AMAs ceremony and see performances live:
- AMAs Website – The primary way is to purchase tickets through the official AMAs website at www.theamas.com when they go on sale to the public.
- Ticketmaster – Tickets will also be available on Ticketmaster here: www.ticketmaster.com. This is the official ticketing partner of the AMAs.
- Resellers – After tickets go on sale, you can check sites like StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and others for resale tickets. Prices are often higher than face value.
- Packages – Some travel/hospitality companies like On Location offer ticket packages for the AMAs that bundle seats with things like hotels and parties.
The two best official sources are the AMAs website and Ticketmaster. Signing up for the AMAs newsletter or following their social accounts can help you get notified right away when tickets go on sale.
How much do AMAs tickets cost?
AMAs ticket prices can vary depending on the seat location in the Microsoft Theater and when you buy them. In general, expect to pay:
- Nosebleeds/Upper Level: $50-$150 per seat
- Lower Level/Closer: $150-$400+ per seat
- Floor Seats: $500-$1,000+ per seat
Tickets are typically cheaper during the pre-sales and initially go up in price as resellers start charging more for high demand. Front row/VIP seats can cost several thousand dollars from resellers.
Are AMAs tickets transferrable?
According to the AMAs website Terms and Conditions, tickets to the ceremony are non-transferable. The name printed on the ticket must match the attendee’s ID. Tickets are also non-refundable under most circumstances.
If you need to transfer AMAs tickets you purchased, you’ll need to resell them on a platform like StubHub where the new buyer can purchase them officially.
Can I get free tickets to attend the AMAs?
There are a couple ways you might be able to get free tickets to the American Music Awards:
- Giveaways – Local radio stations and entertainment websites may run ticket giveaways and contests before the show.
- Standing Room – Very limited free standing room only tickets are sometimes released the day of the show for people willing to wait in line.
- Work Invites – Employees of the AMAs, ABC, sponsors, or the entertainment industry may get free invites.
Unless you luck out with a giveaway, score a standby ticket, or know someone who works for the right company, truly free tickets are extremely hard to come by.
Who has performed at the AMAs?
As one of the major music awards shows, the AMAs have showcased performances by the world’s top artists over the years. Some memorable AMAs performances include:
- Michael Jackson’s first ever moonwalk in 1983
- Madonna performing “Like a Virgin” in a wedding dress in 1984
- Britney Spears’ steamy duet with Michael Jackson in 2001
- Beyonce revealing her pregnancy bump on stage in 2011
- Taylor Swift performing a medley of her Reputation album in 2018
- Jennifer Lopez and Maluma’s sultry “Pa’ Ti” and “Lonely” medley in 2020
Other iconic acts who have graced the AMAs stage include Prince, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Cher, U2, Justin Bieber, and many more. The show aims to have memorable performances from both today’s chart-toppers and legendary artists each year.
What are some key moments in AMAs history?
While known best for its buzzworthy performances, the American Music Awards have also had many other memorable moments over the decades including:
- 1974 – John Lennon and Stevie Wonder share the stage for Lennon’s last major live TV appearance in the U.S. before his death in 1980.
- 1993 – Whitney Houston accepts the International Artist Award via satellite from South Africa, where she had just performed for Nelson Mandela.
- 1996 – Madonna kisses Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera during a showstopping performance of “Like a Virgin.”
- 2013 – Miley Cyrus smokes marijuana on stage while accepting the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Album.
- 2017 – Diana Ross accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award and is introduced by her 5 famous children, including daughter Tracee Ellis Ross.
From controversial antics to stunning tributes, the AMAs always provide entertainment and pop culture moments that get people talking.
Who is hosting the 2023 AMAs?
The host for the 2023 American Music Awards has not been officially announced yet. In recent years, the show has been hosted by various musicians, comedians, and TV personalities including:
- Tracee Ellis Ross (2018-2020)
- Taraji P. Henson (2021)
- Cardi B (2021)
- Wayne Brady (2015)
- Jennifer Lopez (2014)
- Jimmy Kimmel (2003-2012)
Come back to the official AMAs website in the coming months as they reveal details around performers, presenters, and this year’s host leading up to the November ceremony.
How can I watch the AMAs if I can’t attend live?
Don’t worry if you can’t snag tickets to see the AMAs live – there are plenty of ways to watch music’s hottest night from home including:
- Tune into the live broadcast on ABC at 8pm ET/PT on November 19, 2023
- Stream the show the next day on Hulu or ABC.com with a cable login
- Follow the official American Music Awards social pages for clips and behind-the-scenes content during the show
- Check Twitter, YouTube, and entertainment sites for videos of the performances
The AMAs are always one of the most star-studded and buzzed about award shows of the year, so you won’t want to miss out even if you can’t be there in person. With knockout musical performances and unique collaborations between artists, it’s a must-watch event for music fans!
Conclusion
Getting tickets to attend the legendary American Music Awards live can be an exciting but challenging endeavor. While tickets are limited, understanding when they go on sale, the best purchasing options, pricing, and how to watch from home makes it possible to experience music’s hottest night of the year. With unforgettable performances, collaborations, and appearances year after year, the AMAs deliver entertainment that keep fans buzzing throughout the show and beyond.