Flamboyant chanteuse Lady Gaga leads the field with six nominations, including best song and video for "Born This Way," and best live act.
Pop songstress Katy Perry is nominated in the live act, song, pop and female performer categories.
Adele, known for stripped down performances and soulful vocals, is up for four awards: best female act, best British or Irish act, best song and best video, for "Rolling in the Deep."
Other multiple nominees announced Monday include Bruno Mars, with four nominations, and Justin Bieber, with three.
The awards ceremony, held in a different European city each year, will take place in Belfast on Nov. 6.