Madonna dominates the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a field-leading 13 nominations, followed closely by Taylor Swift with 11 nods, setting the stage for a historic ceremony broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+. The star-studded event features hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg as master of ceremonies, guiding viewers through an evening marked by generational milestones and competitive field matchups.
The Queen of Pop is slated to open the broadcast, marking Madonna’s first performance on the MTV stage since her landmark 2003 appearance alongside Britney Spears. Her return highlights an expansive nomination haul anchored by her visual work, Confessions II – The Film, which spans marquee categories including Video of the Year, Best Direction, and Best Dance.
Michael Kors Women tote bag.
Swift enters the evening with significant accolades of her own, securing recognition not only across top competitive ballots but also receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors. During the live telecast, Swift will premiere her highly anticipated “Patient Zero” music video, adding exclusive visual content to an already packed lineup of major reveals.
Historic Milestone Honors and All-Star Memorial Tributes
Special recognition anchors the broadcast, led by legendary rock group Nirvana, who will officially receive the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. The honor commemorates the band’s transformational visual impact on music television and culture, placing them alongside decades of groundbreaking video innovators.
The stage will also host emotional musical homages to fallen industry giants. Country star Kacey Musgraves takes the stage for a dedicated tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing on August 25. Later in the evening, a powerhouse trio composed of Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims will unite for a collaborative performance honoring the legacy of pop pioneer George Michael.
The blending of foundational music icons with current chart leaders reinforces the event’s dual focus on honoring historical impact while recognizing modern industry breakthroughs.
Misconception vs. Reality: Legacy Artists on the Modern Stage
A frequent assumption among modern award show viewers is that legacy acts appear solely to receive lifetime achievement plaques rather than compete against contemporary streaming giants. The 2026 ballot thoroughly debunks that notion: Madonna stands as the single most-nominated artist of the night with 13 distinct opportunities to win, outranking contemporary chart fixtures like Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and Bruno Mars in top technical and performance brackets.
Just from Us weekly editorial badge.
Key Matchups Across Headline Categories
Competition remains fierce across every genre, bringing together viral breakout artists and established pop heavyweights. The breakdown below details the contenders facing off in the top general categories.
| Award Category | Nominated Contenders |
|---|---|
| Video of the Year | Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Gener8ion, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift |
| Artist of the Year | Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift |
| Song of the Year | BTS, Ella Langley, Huntr/x, Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson, Raye |
| Best New Artist | Bella Kay, Cortis, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro, Stella Lefty |
| Best Album | Drake, Madonna, Olivia Dean, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift |
Complete List of 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees
Below is the complete official slate of contenders competing across all pop, hip-hop, international, and technical design categories.
Video of the Year
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Gener8ion – “Storm”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year
- Ariana Grande
- Bruno Mars
- Madonna
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
- BTS – “Swim”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Huntr/x: Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami – “Golden”
- Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Raye – “Where Is My Husband!”
Best New Artist
- Bella Kay
- Cortis
- Magnus Ferrell
- Malcolm Todd
- Myles Smith
- Sienna Spiro
- Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
- Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T and Malice – “Chains & Whips”
- French Montana and Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me”
- Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
- PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Shakira and Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”
- Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye – “Hard Part”
Best Pop
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Charli XCX – “SS26”
- Lisa featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi – “Dream”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Drop Dead”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Hip-Hop
- Cardi B featuring Kehlani – “Safe”
- Don Toliver – “E85”
- Drake – “Janice STFU”
- Megan Thee Stallion – “Lover Girl”
- Travis Scott – “Dumbo”
- Tyler, The Creator – “Sugar on My Tongue”
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Chris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious”
- Dave and Tems – “Raindance”
- Justin Bieber – “Yukon”
- Kehlani – “Folded”
- Mariah the Scientist and Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime”
Best Alternative
- Geese – “Taxes”
- MGK and Fred Durst – “Fix Ur Face”
- Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “The Cure”
- Sombr – “Homewrecker”
- Tame Impala – “Dracula”
- Twenty One Pilots – “Drag Path”
Best Dance
- Bebe Rexha and Faithless – “New Religion”
- Harry Styles – “Aperture”
- Lady Gaga and Doechii – “Runway”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Slayyyter – “Dance…”
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
Best Latin
- Anitta with Shakira – “Choka Choka”
- Bad Bunny – “Nuevayol”
- Fuerza Regida – “Tu Sancho”
- Karol G – “Papasito”
- Rosalía featuring Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla”
- Ryan Castro, Kapo and Gangsta – “La Villa”
- Shakira and Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”
Best K-Pop
- Blackpink – “Jump”
- BTS – “Swim”
- Cortis – “Redred”
- Katseye – “Pinky Up”
- Le Sserafim feat. J-Hope of BTS – “Spaghetti”
- Lisa featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi – “Dream”
Best Country
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Kacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell”
- Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo”
- Luke Combs – “Back in the Saddle”
- Shaboozey – “Cowgirl”
- Stella Lefty – “Boston”
- Tucker Wetmore – “Brunette”
Best Direction
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Gener8ion – “Storm”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Taylor Swift – “Opalite”
Best Art Direction
- Charli XCX – “SS26”
- Lady Gaga and Doechii – “Runway”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Sombr – “My Body Isn’t Ready”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Cinematography
- A$AP Rocky – “Punk Rocky”
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Lisa featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi – “Dream”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Shaboozey – “Cowgirl”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Editing
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Lisa featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi – “Dream”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Choreography
- Gener8ion – “Storm”
- Harry Styles – “Dance No More”
- Katseye – “Pinky Up”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Visual Effects
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Jisoo and Zayn – “Eyes Closed”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
- Raye featuring Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Group
- Blackpink
- BTS
- Cortis
- Flo
- Fuerza Regida
- Geese
- Katseye
- Twenty One Pilots
Best Long Form Video
- Charli XCX – “Music, Fashion, Film”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Gener8ion – “Storm starring Yung Lean”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
Best Album
- Drake – Iceman
- Madonna – Confessions II
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
- Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl
Song of Summer
- Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Bruno Mars – “Risk It All”
- Charli XCX – “Camera”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Katseye – “Hootie Frutti”
- Latto featuring Doja Cat – “Okayyy”
- Morgan Wallen – “Been by Now”
- Olivia Dean – “So Easy (To Fall in Love)”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Stupid Song”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Slayyyter – “Brand New Chanel$”
- Sombr – “Homewrecker”
- Stella Lefty – “Boston”
- Tame Impala and Jennie – “Dracula”
- Taylor Swift – “I Knew It, I Knew You”
💡 With Madonna commanding 13 nominations and Taylor Swift trailing at 11 alongside her directorial honor, the live broadcast presents one of the most competitive fields in recent broadcast history.
🔍 Viewers tuning in across CBS, MTV, and Paramount+ can expect historic live tributes honoring Dolly Parton and George Michael alongside Nirvana’s Vanguard acceptance.
📌 Leave your thoughts in the comments below on who will capture Video of the Year this Sunday.
👇 Share your predictions with us and let us know which live performance you are most eager to watch.
