The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) is shaping up to be a major night for pop culture, with some of the biggest names in music competing in the ceremony’s most coveted categories. Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11 nods, while Taylor Swift follows with nine, setting up an interesting race between two generations of pop royalty. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are also in the mix, earning seven nominations each as the ceremony brings together established icons and some of music’s newest names.
The ceremony will take place live on September 27, with CBS and MTV broadcasting from 7:30 p.m. ET. Beyond the headline nominations, the 2026 edition of the MTV Video Music Awards is notable for bringing back the Best Dance category for the first time since 2019. This return adds another competitive field, with Madonna, Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson, Harry Styles, Bebe Rexha, and Slayyyter among the artists vying for the award. The VMAs will also introduce several first-time nominees to an audience used to seeing familiar names dominate the ballot.
Madonna and Taylor Swift Lead the MTV VMAs 2026 Nominations
Most nominated artists at this year’s #VMAs:
• Madonna (11)
• Taylor Swift (9)
• Ariana Grande & Sabrina Carpenter (7)
• Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson (5)
• LISA (4)
• Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION, Yung Lean (3) pic.twitter.com/qE0DHTRM48— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 18, 2026
Madonna sits at the top of the nominations with 11 nods for her “Confessions II” album and its accompanying visual work. Her haul includes nominations in major categories such as Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, reinforcing her continued presence at one of music’s most unpredictable award shows.
Taylor Swift isn’t far behind. The singer has nine nominations, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, putting her directly against Madonna in two of the night’s biggest categories. Swift’s nominations also extend into Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Choreography.
Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each earned seven nominations. Both compete in Best Pop, while Carpenter also appears in several major categories after a significant year for her career.
Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson each collected five nominations. BLACKPINK’s LISA earned four, while Shakira and Tate McRae each received three.
The numbers tell only part of the story. This year’s ballot reflects how quickly pop culture shifts, with veteran superstars sharing space with artists still establishing their identities globally.
The VMAs Could Make History in More Ways Than One
The 2026 #VMAs nominees have landed – and one of these noms will take home Best New Artist 💌🔭
⭐️ Bella Kay
⭐️ @cortis_bighit
⭐️ Magnus Ferrell
⭐️ Malcolm Todd
⭐️ @MylesSmithUK
⭐️ @sienna_spiro
⭐️ @stellaleftyKeep voting each day at https://t.co/vXgxRKSLWp before the… pic.twitter.com/23zU4UJvqA
— MTV (@MTV) August 18, 2026
For Swift, the ceremony could become particularly significant. She is currently tied with Beyoncé for the record for the most MTV Video Music Awards wins, with 30 Moon Persons. Another victory would give Swift sole possession of the record and add another chapter to an already remarkable VMA history.
Several artists, meanwhile, are hoping to collect their first Moon Person. First-time nominees include Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION, CORTIS, and Stella Lefty, all of whom are competing for Best New Artist.
Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, and Olivia Dean are also among the artists seeking their first VMA win. Their presence adds another layer to a ceremony that has increasingly become a meeting point between established stars and emerging acts.
The return of Best Dance is another major development. The category has been absent from the VMAs since 2019, making its comeback particularly notable at a time when dance music and choreography continue to shape mainstream pop.
Madonna is nominated alongside Tate McRae, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson, Harry Styles, Bebe Rexha, and Slayyyter. Lady Gaga and Doechii also enter the category for their collaboration “RUNAWAY,” featured in “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Here are the nominees for the 2026 MTV VMAs…
Video Of the Year
- Ariana Grande – “hate that I made you love me” – Republic Records
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
- GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast Music
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears” – Island
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Artist Of the Year
- Ariana Grande – Republic Records
- Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
- Madonna – Warner Records
- Morgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – Island
- Taylor Swift – Republic Records
Song Of the Year
- BTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
- HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – “Golden” – Republic Records/Visva Records
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner Records
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need” – Island
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” – Human Re Sources
Best New Artist
- Bella Kay – Atlantic Records
- CORTIS – BIGHIT MUSIC
- Magnus Ferrell – Visva Records/Republic Records
- Malcolm Todd – Columbia Records
- Myles Smith – RCA Records
- Sienna Spiro – Capitol Records
- Stella Lefty – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost
Best Collaboration
- Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips” – Roc Nation Distribution
- French Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me” – Coke Boys Records
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner Records
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin
- Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part” – Def Jam Recordings
Best Pop
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- Charli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic Records
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
- Olivia Rodrigo – “drop dead” – Geffen Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – Island
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Hip-Hop
- Cardi B ft. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic Records
- Don Toliver – “E85” – Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records
- Drake – “Janice STFU” – OVO/Republic Records
- Megan Thee Stallion – “LOVER GIRL” – Hot Girl Productions
- Travis Scott – “DUMBO” – Cactus Jack/Epic Records
- Tyler, The Creator – “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE” – Columbia Records
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
- Chris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious” – RCA Records
- Dave & Tems – “Raindance” – Neighbourhood Recordings/Capitol Records
- Justin Bieber – “YUKON” – Def Jam Recordings
- Kehlani – “Folded” – Atlantic Records
- Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime” – Epic Records
Best Alternative
- Geese – “Taxes” – Partisan Records/Play It Again Sam
- mgk & Fred Durst – “FIX UR FACE” – EST 19XX LLC/Interscope Records
- Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide” – Mercury Records
- Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure” – Geffen Records
- SOMBR – “Homewrecker” – SMB Music/Warner Records
- Tame Impala – “Dracula” – Columbia Records
- twenty one pilots – “Drag Path” – Fueled By Ramen
Best Dance
- Bebe Rexha & Faithless – “New Religion” – Bebe Rexha Music LLC/EMPIRE
- Harry Styles – “Aperture” – Columbia Records
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNAWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- Slayyyter – “DANCE…” – RECORDS/Columbia Records
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
Best Latin
- Anitta with Shakira – “Choka Choka” – Republic Records/UMLE
- Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas Entertainment
- Fuerza Regida – “TU SANCHO” – Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US Latin
- KAROL G – “Papasito” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records
- Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla” – Columbia Records
- Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA – “LA VILLA” – AWOO Corp./Sony Music US Latin
- Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin
Best K-Pop
- BLACKPINK – “JUMP” – YG Entertainment
- BTS – “SWIM” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- CORTIS – “REDRED” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- KATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen Records
- LE SSERAFIM feat. j-hope of BTS – “SPAGHETTI” – SOURCE MUSIC
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
Best Country
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
- Kacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell” – Lost Highway/Interscope Records
- Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Broken Bow Records
- Luke Combs – “Back in the Saddle” – Columbia Nashville
- Shaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
- Stella Lefty – “Boston” – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost
- Tucker Wetmore – “Brunette” – Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records
Best Direction
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
- GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast Music
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – Island
- Taylor Swift – “Opalite” – Republic Records
Best Art Direction
- Charli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic Records
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNAWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- SOMBR – “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner Records
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Cinematography
- A$AP Rocky – “PUNK ROCKY” – A$AP Worldwide/RCA Records
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Shaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Editing
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – Island
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Choreography
- GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast Music
- Harry Styles – “Dance No More” – Columbia Records
- KATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Visual Effects
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- JISOO X ZAYN – “Eyes Closed” – Warner Records
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.” – Human Re Sources
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Featured image: @madonna/Instagram | Mert Alas for Taylor Swift
