The 2026 Asia Artist Awards (AAA) has unveiled its first wave of performers, and the lineup is already generating excitement.
On July 28, organizers confirmed that LNGSHOT, &TEAM, and ATEEZ will be performing at this year's ceremony, which is set for December 5 and 6 at Kaohsiung National Stadium in Taiwan. Hosted by actor Ji Chang Wook and IVE's Jang Won Young, the two-night event will mark the latest chapter in AAA's tradition of bringing together top talent from across music and acting.
The first three names
ATEEZ is the most established name on the initial list. The group has been a fixture at major year-end ceremonies for years and brings a reputation for high-energy, theatrically ambitious performances that often become talking points in their own right. Their inclusion in the first wave is unsurprising — ATEEZ at a year-end show is essentially a guarantee of one of the night's standout stages.
&TEAM comes into the ceremony fresh off their first-ever Billboard 200 entry with the "We On Fire" EP earlier this year, and a performance slot at AAA gives them a major platform to continue their global expansion. The HYBE-affiliated group has been building momentum primarily through the Japanese market, but a primetime appearance at one of K-pop's biggest year-end events signals that their promotional focus is broadening.
LNGSHOT rounds out the first wave, representing the newer wave of acts that AAA often uses to introduce rising artists to a wider audience. Details on their set are still under wraps, but the booking suggests confidence in their stage presence and growing fanbase.
The venue and format
Kaohsiung National Stadium is one of Taiwan's largest venues, capable of hosting over 40,000 attendees per night. AAA's decision to hold the ceremony there — rather than at a Korean venue — continues a trend of major K-pop award shows expanding into overseas markets to capitalize on the global fanbase.
The two-night format, with Ji Chang Wook and Jang Won Young returning as hosts, has become AAA's signature structure. Night one typically leans toward the acting and variety side of the entertainment spectrum, while night two tends to focus on music performances — though both nights feature awards across all categories.
What to expect next
This is only the first wave of artist announcements, and if AAA's history is any guide, the next rounds of reveals will progressively increase in profile. Past ceremonies have featured lineups that span from top-tier senior acts to brand-new debuts, and the final roster typically numbers in the dozens.
For now, LNGSHOT, &TEAM, and ATEEZ set a confident tone — a mix of established stage dominance, rising international momentum, and fresh energy that suggests AAA 2026 is aiming for balance across generations.
