MAMA Awards 2025 Nominations｜Full Nominee List, Voting & Winners

MAMA Awards 2025 Nominations: Full Overview, Voting & What to Expect 📅

The eagerly anticipated 2025 MAMA Awards are almost here. Hosted by CJ ENM via its music channel Mnet, this edition of the ceremony marks a significant return to Hong Kong — where the awards have historic roots — and promises to be one of the most global and expansive editions yet.

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown: key dates and venue, what we know about nominations and voting, major categories to watch, how fans can participate, and what to expect at the live show.

1. Dates & Venue: A Hong Kong Homecoming

• The 2025 MAMA Awards will be held November 28 – 29, 2025, at the new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong.
• This marks the awards’ first return to Hong Kong since 2018, and the first time at the Kai Tak Stadium — a large-scale venue with capacity for tens of thousands.
• Hosting the event in Hong Kong underscores MAMA’s global ambition and appeal in the wider Asian region.

With this backdrop, the nominations and voting stages become all the more significant — not just for K-pop fans, but for the broader Asian music industry.

2. What We Know About the Nominations 2.1 Timeline & Announcement

Although many details remain to be confirmed officially, certain key points are available:

• According to reports, the nomination list for 2025 will likely be released in October, following the eligibility period cutoff.
• Applications for the “SUPER FAN” programme — which engages global K-pop fans to participate in certain nomination/voting-related roles — opened August 28 through September 14 (KST). 2.2 Eligibility & Selection Criteria
• The eligibility period is often defined by the ceremony organisers. For 2025, some sources suggest that works released between Oct 1 2024 and Sep 30 2025 may be eligible.
• Nominees are selected through a mix of factors: commercial performance (album sales, streaming), digital & social data, and professional evaluation by a judging panel.
• Specifically, for 2025, one Chinese-language source indicates breakdowns such as: for major awards like Artist of the Year – 40% judging panel, 30% domestic sales/streaming, 30% overseas data.
• The “Fans’ Choice” categories are 100% (or almost-entirely) determined by fan voting.2.3 Early Nomination Highlights & Speculation

Although an official full nominee list hasn’t yet been publicly released (as of this writing), media reports and speculation have surfaced. For example:

• Some Spanish-language media mention a “complete list of nominees” including artists such as Jennie (of BLACKPINK) leading nominations with ~10 nods.
• Other names mentioned in speculative lists include Rosé, G‑Dragon, j‑hope, aespa, IVE, SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, etc.

We must note that until the official nomination list is confirmed by MAMA/Mnet, some of these names remain speculative or early-reported.

3. Key Award Categories to Watch

While the full category list for 2025 is not yet published in full, based on prior years of the MAMA Awards and current media reports, the major categories include:

• Artist of the Year
• Album of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Best New Artist (or Rookie of the Year)
• Fans’ Choice (Male / Female)
• Genre-specific awards (e.g., Best Hip-Hop & R&B, Best Pop, Best Dance, Best OST)
• Technical/creative awards (e.g., Best Music Video, Best Choreography)

From the Spanish-language list: for example, “Song of the Year” nominees include songs such as “Dirty Work” by aespa and “ZEN” by Jennie; “Album of the Year” nominees include works by aespa, BABYMONSTER, G-Dragon, etc.

Given the global reach of K-pop and the selection of Hong Kong for 2025, expect strong competition — both from established acts and emerging artists.

4. How Fan Voting Works

Fan participation is a major component of the MAMA Awards. Here’s what we know about 2025’s fan voting:

• Via the “SUPER FAN” initiative, global fans volunteered between August 28 and September 14 to be part of the nomination/voting process. Applicants could receive ID cards, access to soundcheck, exclusive perks.
• For the Fans’ Choice categories, voting is likely 100% fan-based (online) via platforms like Mnet Plus, X (formerly Twitter), etc.
• Fans should monitor official channels for voting launches — typically after the nominations list drops.
• Social media performance, global streaming numbers, digital sales, and fan engagement all influence both nominations and likely results.

Thus, being an engaged fan online (streaming, posting, voting) can directly impact these categories.

5. Why the 2025 Edition is Special

The 2025 MAMA Awards stand out for several reasons:

• Return to Hong Kong – The awards were last held in Hong Kong in 2018. The 2025 edition marks the first time back in this vibrant city in seven years.
• Venue Upgrade – Kai Tak Stadium is a large-scale modern stadium (capacity ~50,000+), signalling a grander scale for the ceremony.
• Global K-pop Growth – The awards are increasingly global in scope: broader international fan-bases, streaming dominance, cross-border collaborations. The nomination and voting process reflect this trend.
• Super Fan Participation – The inclusion of a “SUPER FAN” programme was launched in 2024 and continues in 2025, giving fans even more direct voice.
• Award Legacy & Prestige – The MAMA Awards have long been one of Asia’s premier music awards (formerly Mnet Asian Music Awards), dating back to 1999.

For any fan of K-pop or Asian music, this edition promises to be a landmark event.

6. How to Stay Updated & Where to Watch

• The official MAMA Awards website and the Mnet Plus platform will publish the full nominee list once available.
• Official social accounts — such as @MnetMAMA on X/Twitter and Instagram — will post announcements, voting links, nominee lists, and live updates.
• The ceremony will broadcast globally via YouTube (channels like Mnet K-POP, Mnet TV, M2) and streaming services such as TVING, as well as regional partners.
• For those attending in person in Hong Kong: details on ticketing, venue access, seat categories, travel & accommodation should be monitored via official event channels.

6. Tickets & Live Attendance: What Fans Should Know

For the live show held in Hong Kong, here are preliminary pointers:

• With the venue being Kai Tak Stadium, expect a large scale event potentially with multi-day schedules (Nov 28 – 29).
• Ticket tiers (price categories) typically vary based on seating, access level (standard vs VIP vs premium).
• Travelling fans should account for Hong Kong accommodation, transport to Kai Tak Sports Park / Stadium, and possible fan-event extras (soundcheck access, meet- &-greets, official merchandise).
• Official announcements regarding ticket release dates, authorized ticket platforms and pricing are key — make sure to follow the MAMA or Mnet announcement channels to avoid scams.
• For Hong Kong locals: check local travel and transport advisories around Kai Tak Stadium on the event dates.

1. What to Watch For: Trends & Predictions

As a K-pop and Asian music observer, some key trends to watch in this edition:

• Established acts vs newcomers – With K-pop expanding globally, expect stiff competition between veteran groups/artists and rising generation stars.
• Cross-genre collaborations – These have become more prevalent (e.g., K-pop artists collaborating with Western hip-hop/R&B acts) and could influence nominations especially in categories like Best Collaboration or Music Video.
• Global streaming impact – The weight of global platforms and international fan-bases is larger than ever; nominations may reflect this more strongly.
• Fan engagement matters – With SUPER FAN programmes and fans’ choice voting more visible, fan mobilization could help tip categories.
• K-pop as cultural export – The fact the awards are held in Hong Kong underlines the geographic and cultural expansion of K-pop beyond South Korea; this may be reflected in guest performances, region-specific awards or collaborations.

1. What Happens After the Nominations: Announcement, Winners & Ceremony

• Once the nomination list drops, fans can begin active engagement — streaming nominated works, voting (for Fans’ Choice), and supporting artist campaigns.
• The winners will be announced during the live ceremony on Nov 28–29 2025 in Hong Kong.
• Expect red carpet segments, special live performances, awards acceptances, and collaborations unique to the venue and global audience.
• Post-event, full winner lists, highlights, backstage interviews and official recap videos will be released on YouTube and social channels.
• As a fan, you can follow up by checking which artists took home major awards (Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year) and review any surprise wins or breakthrough moments.

1. Summary: Why This Edition Matters

The 2025 MAMA Awards are shaping up as a landmark edition. With Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium as the stage, global K-pop influence in full force, and fan-driven participation increasingly visible, this is more than just another year of awards — it is a statement of how Asian music is global music. For fans, artists and industry professionals alike, this is a moment worth watching, voting in, and celebrating.

If you’re a K-pop fan, now’s the time to mark your calendar, stay tuned for the official nomination drop, mobilize your streaming and voting power, and perhaps attend the event in person if you can. Whether you’re streaming from home or cheering live in Hong Kong, 2025 promises big moments and unforgettable performances.