What Is 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards took place on November 6, 2011, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking the first time the event was held in the region. Adele won three awards, including Best Female and Best Song for 'Rolling in the Deep.'

Key Facts

The 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards occurred on November 6, 2011
Hosted in Belfast, Northern Ireland, at the Odyssey Arena
Adele won three awards: Best Female, Best Song, and Best UK & Ireland Act
Justin Bieber won Best Male and Best Pop
The event featured performances by Coldplay, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars

Overview

The 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards celebrated the year's top achievements in music, culture, and pop influence. Held on November 6, 2011, the ceremony took place at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland, marking a historic first for the region as the host city.

This edition emphasized global fan engagement, with winners determined by public votes online. The event highlighted major artists from across genres and continents, reinforcing MTV's role in shaping youth-driven music culture.

Host city: Belfast became the first Northern Irish city to host the EMAs, drawing over 10,000 attendees and significant international media coverage.
Host: Selena Gomez served as the main host, bringing her pop star appeal and energetic presence to the stage.
Key award: Adele won Best Song for 'Rolling in the Deep,' which spent 11 weeks atop the UK Singles Chart.
Global reach: The show was broadcast in over 180 countries, reaching an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide.
Special recognition: Thirty Seconds to Mars received the Global Icon Award for their humanitarian efforts and musical impact.

Performances and Categories

The 2011 EMAs featured electrifying live acts that defined the year's musical landscape. From pop anthems to rock ballads, the performances showcased genre diversity and stage innovation.

Coldplay: The British band opened the show with a powerful rendition of 'Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall,' backed by synchronized fireworks.
Beyoncé: She delivered a dynamic medley including 'Love on Top,' hitting a sustained high note for 18 seconds, drawing widespread acclaim.
Bruno Mars: Performed 'Grenade' with emotional intensity, backed by a full band and dramatic lighting effects.
Best New Act: This award went to Marina and the Diamonds, recognizing her breakout success in 2011.
Best Rock: Foo Fighters took home the award, beating out competitors like Linkin Park and Muse.
Fan-driven voting: Over 120 million votes were cast online, a record high for the EMAs at the time.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2011 EMAs compared to previous editions in key categories and reach:

Category	2009 EMAs	2010 EMAs	2011 EMAs
Host City	Berlin, Germany	Madrid, Spain	Belfast, Northern Ireland
Venue Capacity	~12,000	~14,000	~10,000
Global Audience	~250 million	~280 million	~300 million
Top Winner	Lady Gaga (4 awards)	30 Seconds to Mars (3 awards)	Adele (3 awards)
Fan Votes	~90 million	~100 million	~120 million

The 2011 event marked a shift toward smaller, more culturally significant host cities. Belfast’s selection highlighted MTV’s strategy of spotlighting underrepresented regions while maintaining massive global viewership through digital engagement.

Why It Matters

The 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards had lasting cultural and industry significance. It celebrated musical excellence while expanding the platform's inclusivity and geographic reach.

Regional impact: Hosting in Belfast helped boost tourism and local economy by an estimated £15 million.
Artist recognition: Adele’s sweep solidified her global stardom ahead of her Grammy dominance in 2012.
Fan participation: The record-breaking vote count emphasized the shift toward audience-driven award outcomes.
Performance legacy: Beyoncé’s vocal performance became a viral moment, studied in vocal performance circles.
Media coverage: The event received coverage from over 1,200 press outlets worldwide.
MTV's evolution: The 2011 EMAs reflected MTV’s transition from a music channel to a global youth culture brand.

By combining star power, fan interaction, and regional representation, the 2011 EMAs set a precedent for future ceremonies aiming to balance spectacle with inclusivity.