Lady Gaga was the most nominated artist with seven nominations to her name, followed by BTS and Justin Bieber with five each.[5] BTS was the most awarded act of the ceremony, claiming awards in four of the five categories they were nominated in.[6] Three new categories were introduced that year: Best Latin, Video for Good, and Best Virtual Live.[7]
Little Mix's performance was filmed in London and incorporated "augmented reality and a contortionist".[6] French DJ David Guetta held the premiere performance of his single "Let's Love" live from a pool at the Széchenyi Bath complex in Budapest, Hungary; British singer Raye featured in Sia's place. Both artists were "immersed in a waterfall" of laser lights.[6][10] English singer Yungblud wore a women's tennis outfit for his performance and assumed the role of "Cupid", flying around the venue of London's Roundhouse and pretending to "shoot arrows at unsuspecting lovers". After reuniting with his band on the ground, in a "giant red spikey inflatable", he ripped off his white skirt to reveal Union Jack shorts.[6][11]
BTS - appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Song and Best Group
David Guetta appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Electronic
Karol G appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Latin and Best Collaboration
Chris Martin from Coldplay appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Rock
Hayley Williams from Paramore appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best Alternative
Doja Cat appeared through a pre-recorded message accepting Best New
Awards
Voting for select categories began on 6 October on the official MTV EMA website and ended on 2 November.[4]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.[12][13]
Best Regional Act winners were announced by Johnny Orlando via a live stream posted on the official MTV EMA Facebook page.[14] Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.
^Mamo, Heran (6 November 2020). "How to Watch the 2020 MTV EMA". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020. The MTV EMA added three new categories this year: best Latin, video for good and best virtual live. The first two came directly from the MTV Video Music Awards, where they were introduced in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
^Kákonyi, Dávid (9 November 2020). "Dzsúdló lett a legjobb magyar előadó az MTV EMA-n" [Dzsúdló became the best Hungarian act at the MTV EMA] (in Hungarian). Noizz. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^Ferreira, Bernardo (8 November 2020). "Fernando Daniel vence Best Portuguese Act da MTV" [Fernando Daniel wins Best Portuguese Act at MTV] (in Portuguese). espalhafactos.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
^EMA 2020 투표 배스트 코리아 액트 [EMA 2020 Voting Best Korean Act]. www.mtvema.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.