Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber and The Weeknd among the big winners at MTV EMAS 2016

DNCE, Green Day, One Republic and Bruno Mars rocked the stage at Rotterdam's Ahoy arena.

The music stars at the 2016 MTV EMA's promised a party in Rotterdam and they didn't disappoint. Bruno Mars, DNCE and Global Icon award winners Green Day rocked the stage at Rotterdam's Ahoy arena in front of a star-studded audience.

Getting the party started, Bruno Mars wowed the crowd with his customary showmanship as he performed his new track 24K Magic.

OneRepublic performed Let's Hurt Tonight on a rain-soaked stage while The Weeknd also delivered one of the night's standout performances, singing Starboy from inside an enclosed star-filled dome.

DNCE took over the stage with airborne performances of their two biggest hits, Body Moves and Cake by the Ocean. Joe Jonas appeared on a floating stage while fans surrounding him in the crowd surfed on blow-up doughnuts and pizzas as the band rocked on.

While everyone was talking about his infectious stage performance, the 27-year-old also made headlines for his blossoming relationship with Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner.

The pair were spotted looking loved-up at a concert in Rotterdam on Saturday night and were earlier seen celebrating Halloween with friends. Backstage at the EMA's, too, the pair were said to be packing in the PDAs.

But it was the Canadian artists who dominated the MTV EMAs, with big wins for Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Drake and The Weeknd.

Collecting the award for best male from model Jourdan Dunne, 18-year-old pop sensation Mendes dedicated his award to his "incredible fans worldwide".

"You guys are outstanding," said the singer. Earlier in the show, Mendes performed a stirring rendition of his hit Mercy from within a inverted holographic pyramid, which slowly lifted to reveal the 18 year-old seated at a piano. His flawless vocals had his fans in raptures on social media. It was a good night all round for the teenager, who also won the worldwide act prize.

Bieber, who was not present in Rotterdam, took home prizes for biggest fans, best Canadian act and best song for his Hot 100 No. 1, Sorry.

Drake won best hip hop, while The Weeknd — real name Abél Makonnen Tesfaye — won the best video prize for Starboy ft. Daft Punk.

Lady Gaga was the night's other absent big winner, taking home the trophies for best female and best look. Beyoncé, who along with Bieber had the most nominations, failed to win in any of her five categories.

It was a big night for Green Day, who joined an illustrious roll call of luminaries as they collected the global icon award from Idris Elba. Billie Joe Armstrong commented: "I've got to say one thing, it's really nice to be in Europe right now. Most of all it's nice to be out of America, just for a second because of this horrendous election that's going on."

The band put on a display of pyrotechnics for their live performance of Bang Bang and closed the show with a rendition of the 2004 single American Idiot.