2026 MTV Video Music Awards
| 2026 MTV Video Music Awards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | Sunday, September 27, 2026 from 4:51 p.m. PDT |
| Venue | Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, California |
| Country | United States |
| Hosted by | Snoop Dogg |
| Most awards | Madonna (7) |
| Most nominations | Madonna (13) |
| Website | mtv |
| Television/radio coverage | |
| Network | |
| Viewership | 8.43 million |
| Produced by | Bruce Gillmer Jesse Ignjatovic Barb Bialkowski Van Toffler Barry Barclay Floris Bauer Snoop Dogg[1] |
| Directed by | Micah Bickham |
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 27, 2026.[2] It was broadcast live on CBS, streamed on Paramount+'s premium tier and simulcast on MTV.[3] The show was hosted by rapper Snoop Dogg.[4]
The ceremony recognized outstanding music videos and songs released between June 20, 2025, to June 18, 2026.[5] Madonna was the most nominated and awarded artist, winning seven trophies out of thirteen nominations. Taylor Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" won Video of the Year. Nirvana was honored with the Video Vanguard Award, and Swift with the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honor. The music video for Swift's song "Patient Zero" premiered during the broadcast.[6] The CBS and MTV telecast, along with a repeat airing on MTV, drew 8.43 million viewers in the United States, excluding streaming, the most-watched since 2015.[7]
Performances
[edit]On September 16, 2026, Madonna was announced as opening performer, her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years.[8] The first round of performers were announced on September 17.[9] The performers for the George Michael tribute were announced on September 22.[10] A tribute to Dolly Parton by Kacey Musgraves was announced on September 23.[11]
| Artist(s) | Song(s) |
|---|---|
| Madonna | "One Step Away" (intro only) "Bring Your Love" (with Sabrina Carpenter) "Danceteria Afterhours" (with Charli XCX)[a] |
| Raye | "I Will Overcome" "Where Is My Husband!" |
| Bruno Mars | "Dance With Me" (Pre-Taped from Caesars Superdome) |
| Kacey Musgraves | Tribute to Dolly Parton "I Will Always Love You" (Pre-Taped) |
| Shaboozey | "Cowgirl" "High Noon" (with Gunna) |
| Lisa | "Sawadika" |
| Sienna Spiro | "Great Expectation" |
| Sombr Raye Teddy Swims Adam Lambert Meek MNEK Saint Harison |
Tribute to George Michael "Faith" "Father Figure" "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" "Careless Whisper" "Freedom! '90" |
| Gener8ion Yung Lean |
"Storm II" |
Presenters
[edit]Presenters were announced on September 24, 2026.[13] Additional presenters were announced on September 26, 2026.[14]
- Teyana Taylor – presented Best Pop
- Paris Hilton – introduced Bruno Mars
- Ciara Miller – introduced Shaboozey and Gunna
- Isabel May and David Corenswet – presented Best Collaboration
- Tyla – introduced Lisa
- Chuck D – presented the Video Vanguard Award to Nirvana
- Rachel Dratch and Emma Bunton – presented Artist of the Year
- Ella Bright and Belmont Cameli – introduced Sienna Spiro
- Dakota Johnson – presented the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors
- Charli XCX and Troye Sivan – presented Best Dance
- Orville Peck – introduced the George Michael tribute
- Alex Warren – presented Best New Artist
- Brandon Sklenar and Jeff Probst – introduced Gener8ion and Yung Lean
- Snoop Dogg (host) – presented Video of the Year
Winners and nominees
[edit]The nominees were announced on August 18, 2026.[15] The nominees in the social categories–Best Group, Best Long Form Video, Best Album and Song of Summer–were announced on September 18, with additional nominees for Best Album announced on the next day.[16][17] Madonna led with thirteen nominations, tying Lady Gaga's 2010 record for the most nominations for an artist in a single year.[18] She is followed by Taylor Swift with eleven; Sabrina Carpenter with nine; Ariana Grande with eight; Bruno Mars with seven; Ella Langley, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson with five; and Charli XCX, Gener8ion, Katseye, Lisa, Olivia Rodrigo, and Yung Lean with four.[19]
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.[20][21]
Voted categories
[edit]The winners of the following categories were chosen by fan votes.
Professional categories
[edit]The winners of the following categories were chosen by industry professionals.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special awards
[edit]The recipient of the Video Vanguard was announced on September 9, 2026.[22] The recipient of the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors was announced on September 21.[23]
- Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
- MTV VMA Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
Artists with multiple wins and nominations
[edit]| Wins | Artist |
|---|---|
| 7 | Madonna |
| 3 | BTS |
| Taylor Swift | |
| 2 | Ariana Grande |
| Sabrina Carpenter |
| Nominations | Artist |
|---|---|
| 13 | Madonna |
| 11 | Taylor Swift |
| 9 | Sabrina Carpenter |
| 8 | Ariana Grande |
| 7 | Bruno Mars |
| 5 | Ella Langley |
| PinkPantheress | |
| Zara Larsson | |
| 4 | Charli XCX |
| Gener8ion | |
| Katseye | |
| Kentaro Sakaguchi | |
| Lisa | |
| Olivia Rodrigo | |
| Yung Lean | |
| 3 | BTS |
| Cortis | |
| Harry Styles | |
| Olivia Dean | |
| Shakira | |
| Sombr | |
| Stella Lefty | |
| Tate McRae | |
| 2 | Blackpink |
| Burna Boy | |
| Doechii | |
| Drake | |
| Fuerza Regida | |
| Geese | |
| Kehlani | |
| Lady Gaga | |
| Morgan Wallen | |
| Raye | |
| Shaboozey | |
| Slayyyter | |
| Tame Impala | |
| Twenty One Pilots |
Music Videos with multiple wins and nominations
[edit]| Wins | Artist | Music Video |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Madonna | Confessions II – The Film |
| Nominations | Artist | Music Video |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Madonna | Confessions II – The Film |
| 7 | Ariana Grande | "Hate That I Made You Love Me" |
| Taylor Swift | "The Fate of Ophelia" | |
| 5 | PinkPantheress | "Stateside + Zara Larsson" |
| 4 | Bruno Mars | "I Just Might" |
| Ella Langley | "Choosin' Texas" | |
| Gener8ion | "Storm" starring Yung Lean | |
| Lisa (featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi) | "Dream" | |
| Sabrina Carpenter | "House Tour" | |
| 3 | Tate McRae | "Nobody's Girl" |
| 2 | BTS | "Swim" |
| Charli XCX | "SS26" | |
| Katseye | "Pinky Up" | |
| Lady Gaga & Doechii | "Runway" | |
| Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter | "Bring Your Love" | |
| Shaboozey | "Cowgirl" | |
| Shakira & Burna Boy | "Dai Dai" | |
| Sombr | "Homewrecker" | |
| Stella Lefty | "Boston" |
Notes
[edit]- ↑ With cameo appearances by Debi Mazar, Julia Garner, Fab Five Freddy, Tony Ward, Sombr, Seth Rogen and Andrew Watt.[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ Grein, Paul (September 27, 2026). "Here Are the Performers & Presenters for the 2026 VMAs". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 27, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ "Destination Moon (Man): MTV Video Music Awards Head for La-La Land". Hits. August 14, 2026. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Sherman, Maria (August 18, 2026). "Madonna leads 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, followed by Taylor Swift". Associated Press. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Knapp, J. D. (September 10, 2026). "Snoop Dogg to Host 2026 MTV Video Music Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
- ↑ Olson, Samantha (August 18, 2026). "The Biggest 2026 VMAs Snubs, From Olivia Rodrigo to BTS". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved September 26, 2026.
- ↑ Sundby, Alex (September 24, 2026). "Taylor Swift to debut "Patient Zero" music video at Sunday's VMAs". CBS News. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
- ↑ Schneider, Michael (September 28, 2026). "CBS and MTV VMAs Attract a Combined 8.4 Million Viewers, Making it the Most-Watched Since 2015 and Up 51% From Last Year". Variety. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (September 16, 2026). "Madonna To Open 2026 VMAs, Her First Live Performance At Show In 23 Years". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 16, 2026.
- ↑ Grow, Kory (September 17, 2026). "Lisa, Shaboozey, Gunna Join 2026 VMAs Performers Lineup". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
- ↑ Halperin, Shirley; Legaspi, Althea (September 22, 2026). "MTV VMAs to Feature a George Michael Tribute With Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 22, 2026.
- ↑ Nolfi, Joey (September 23, 2026). "2026 MTV VMAs sets Dolly Parton tribute performed by Kacey Musgraves". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- ↑ Sheffield, Rob (September 27, 2026). "Madonna's 'Danceteria' Was One of the Great Moments in VMAs History". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 28, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ DeSantis, Rachel (September 24, 2026). "MTV VMAs 2026 Presenters: Ciara Miller, Off Campus Stars, Charli xcx and More". People. Retrieved September 24, 2026.
- ↑ "Video Music Awards (@vmas) on X". X (formerly Twitter). September 26, 2026. Retrieved September 27, 2026.
- ↑ Grein, Paul (August 18, 2026). "Madonna Leads 2026 MTV VMA Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Grein, Paul (September 18, 2026). "Madonna, BTS & More Receive 2026 VMAs Nominations in Social Categories: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved September 18, 2026.
- ↑ InMusic (September 19, 2026). "MTV VMAs Add Ella Langley, Bruno Mars and Harry Styles to Best Album". InMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2026.
- ↑ Romano, Andrew (September 24, 2026). "Madonna is the most-nominated artist at this year's VMAs. No one has ever made a comeback quite like this". Yahoo! Entertainment. Archived from the original on September 25, 2026. Retrieved September 25, 2026.
- ↑ Sherman, Maria (August 18, 2026). "MTV VMAs nominations: Madonna leads with 11 as Taylor Swift follows behind". The Independent. Retrieved August 18, 2026.
- ↑ Mickles, Kiana (September 28, 2026). "MTV VMAs 2026 Winners: See the Full List Here". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ "All the Winners at the 2026 MTV VMAs". Vogue. September 27, 2026. Retrieved September 28, 2026.
- ↑ Suskind, Alex (September 9, 2026). "Nirvana to Receive Video Vanguard Award at 2026 VMAs". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- ↑ Perez, Lexy (September 21, 2026). "Taylor Swift to Receive Inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 21, 2026.