The Joy Awards 2026, held in Riyadh, significantly amplified its focus on live music, transforming the event into a prominent global showcase for artistic talent. This edition continued the annual Saudi Arabian capital ceremony's evolution from a traditional regional awards show into a performance-driven broadcast, drawing parallels with the MTV Video Music Awards. The 2026 iteration specifically positioned music at the heart of the night's rhythm and identity, with a seamless integration of international headliners and a diverse lineup of Arab artists.

Throughout the broadcast, the stage was shared by global stars like Katy Perry, Robbie Williams, and disco legend Liz Mitchell of Boney M., alongside celebrated artists from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Lebanon. The production exhibited high polish, characteristic of a touring arena show aimed at a worldwide audience, with orchestral passages flowing smoothly into pop arrangements and traditional genre boundaries blurring.

Katy Perry initiated the ceremony with an impressive arena-style performance of “Dark Horse.” Her set, featuring live vocals, extensive choreography, and dynamic stage environments, culminated in a dramatic display of fireworks illuminating the Riyadh skyline, effectively establishing music as the night's central driving force rather than merely an interlude between awards. Perry later returned to present the Favorite Female Artist award to Egyptian pop star Angham, briefly highlighting music's capacity to transcend cultural barriers.

A defining moment arrived with Robbie Williams's performance. After delivering hits such as “Feel,” the British pop icon was joined by Saudi artist Ayed. This segment transitioned from Ayed’s “Takhayyal Law” into a bilingual duet of “Angels,” presented as a fully integrated performance rather than a superficial crossover collaboration.

Arab artists were intricately woven into the program's fabric. Lebanon’s Abeer Nehme and Angham provided a strong regional presence, with Angham delivering one of the evening's most technically impressive collaborations. She was joined by Polish guitarist Marcin during a medley of her well-known songs, who introduced Latin-influenced guitar passages that recontextualized familiar melodies while ensuring Angham's vocals remained paramount.

Genre blending reached its peak later in the evening with an operatic quartet, Il Divo, offering a dramatic rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” This was followed by Liz Mitchell performing music from Boney M., bringing the energetic essence of disco's golden era to the stage. The segment concluded with a joint performance that skillfully fused operatic vocals with classic hits like “Daddy Cool” and “Rasputin.”

Beyond its musical focus, the Joy Awards maintained its cross-industry scope, featuring appearances from prominent global screen figures. Attendees included Squid Game stars Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown, and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker. Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan also participated, presenting an award to Syrian singer Assala.

The Joy Awards 2026 underscores a significant transformation within Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector. Riyadh is increasingly positioning itself not just as a stop on the global touring circuit, but as an active contributor to the production and experience of large-scale live music and broadcast events. This strategic positioning is evident in the capital's robust calendar of major music events, which includes MDLBEAST Soundstorm – now one of the world’s largest electronic music festivals – headline performances linked to Formula 1 weekends, and a consistent schedule of arena and outdoor concerts. The Joy Awards, in this ecosystem, serves as the most broadcast-focused expression of this ambition, translating the same high production standards into a globally oriented televised format.