Billboard Music Awards 2016 guide: Performers, nominees and everything else you need to know

The Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) 2016 are set to offer a fantastic evening of live music in celebration of the last 12 months of popular chart hits. After the Grammys and Brits, the BBMAs might just be the most important awards ceremony in the music calendar, which is why the stars are going to be turning up and out for the night.

As the famous guests prepare to wow on the red carpet, nominees brush up on their acceptance speeches and music fans get their popcorn ready to watch at home, IBTimes UK rounds-up all the important information you need to know about the BBMAs 2016.

Where

It will be pure glitz and glam as the Billboards are taking place in Sin City itself, Las Vegas.

The T-Mobile Arena is to play host to the festivities on the night – but if you are lucky enough to be in the area, there will no doubt be plenty of after-parties where celebrities will mingle.

The show will broadcast live on ABC and, for the first time, across all time zones in the US starting at 8pm ET.

Hosts and presenters

Fast & Furious actor Ludacris returns to front the show for a the third time, while r'n'b singer-turned-model Ciara will help him keep events running seamlessly. At the time of announcement, Ludacris said of his hosting duties: "It is my honour to host the Billboard Music Awards for the third year and a pleasure to host with my good friend Ciara. I'm looking forward to another great show in a new and exciting venue."

Ciara added: "The Billboard Music Awards is one of best awards shows to honour chart success. My great friend Ludacris and I have also shared songs together on the Billboard chart. I look forward to sharing the stage with him on this special night. It will definitely be a night to remember!"

Organisers have also secured a bevy of high-profile stars to present the awards with the likes of Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Kristen Bell, Wiz Khalifa and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler set to greet the winners.

Nominations

R'n'b superstar The Weeknd is leading the pack after receiving an eye-watering 19 nominations, and predictions suggest he stands a good chance of triumphing on the night. Reformed bad boy Justin Bieber is trailing slightly behind him with 12 nods while Adele and Taylor Swift are tied with eight each. Here are the nominees for some of the main categories:

Performers

It's a pretty exciting line-up, with Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Fifth Harmony, and Gwen Stefani with Blake Shelton set to perform. Others on the bill include DNCE, Shawn Mendes, Troye Sivan, Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor and Nick Jonas with Tove Lo.

After much back-and-forth, it has been confirmed that pop star Kesha will indeed perform her cover of Bob Dylan's It Ain't Me Babe. Despite initial approval, Dr Luke and his record label Kemosabe banned the singer from performing after reports claimed she was planning on criticising the music producer over the sexual assault lawsuit she filed against him.

However, they have once again given her permission to perform, announcing in a new statement: "Kesha's performance on the Billboard Music Awards was always approved, in good faith. Approval was only suspended when Kemosabe learned Kesha was to use the performance as a platform to discuss the litigation."

Surprises

Adele, 28, is already the talk of the town as the singer has confirmed she will debut the music video for new single Send My Love (To Your New Lover) at the event. The track features on Adele's chart-topping album 25, which she is currently promoting with a world tour.

Special tributes

Britney Spears will receive the Billboard Millennium Award in celebration of her career. The singer will open the ceremony with a medley of her biggest hits, which will no doubt include ... Baby One More Time, Oops!... I Did It Again and I'm A Slave 4 U.

The powerhouse vocalist that is Celine Dion will be honoured with the Icon Award, and is to sing Queen's The Show Must Go On. It will be the Canadian singer's first TV performance since the deaths of her husband Rene Angelil and brother Daniel Dion in January 2016.

Perhaps one of the most anticipated segments of the night, queen of pop Madonna will perform a tribute to late musician Prince who died in April. Some disgruntled Prince fans signed a petition over the performance, claiming other musicians should be involved in the tribute but Billboard have stated the show will go on.