Pop royalty takes over the 2026 MTV VMAs! 👑 Madonna and Taylor Swift lead the nominations—but the biggest surprises are buried in the full list. Who was snubbed, and who could steal the night? See every nominee now. 👀

Introduction:

2026 MTV Video Music Awards: A Celebration of Legacy, Reinvention, and New Dreams

The moment music fans around the world have been waiting for has finally arrived: the nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are officially here. More than a celebration of unforgettable songs and groundbreaking visuals, this year’s VMAs promise to honor the artists whose creativity has inspired generations, challenged expectations, and reminded us of music’s extraordinary power to bring people together.

Leading the nominations is the incomparable Madonna, who has earned an impressive 11 nominations. For decades, Madonna has been more than a global pop icon; she has been a fearless storyteller, a cultural trailblazer, and an artist who has continuously redefined what it means to evolve. Her remarkable presence at this year’s awards proves that true artistry is not limited by time. It grows stronger, speaks louder, and continues to touch hearts across generations.

Madonna is nominated for Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects. Each nomination reflects not only the ambition behind her work, but also the passion, discipline, and creative courage that have shaped her extraordinary career.

Close behind her is Taylor Swift, who receives nine nominations this year. The “Fate of Ophelia” singer is recognized in the categories of Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects. Known for transforming personal emotions into universal stories, Swift continues to connect with millions of listeners through music that feels both deeply intimate and beautifully cinematic.

The celebration does not stop there. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter have each earned seven nominations, further highlighting their influence on today’s pop landscape. Other leading nominees include Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson, LISA, Shakira, and Tate McRae—artists whose distinctive voices and bold creative visions have helped define an unforgettable year in music.

Perhaps some of the most inspiring stories belong to the artists competing for their first-ever Moon Person. GENER8ION, Yung Lean, CORTIS, Stella Lefty, Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiroe, and Tucker Wetmore now stand on the threshold of a career-changing moment. Their nominations remind every emerging artist and dreamer that one song, one performance, or one brave creative decision can open the door to something extraordinary.

Most importantly, the fans have a voice in this celebration. Voting is now open at vote.mtv.com and will close on September 25 at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time for all categories except Best New Artist, which will remain open throughout the live broadcast.

The 2026 MTV VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, on CBS and MTV. It will be a night where legends are honored, new stars are born, and music once again reminds us that no matter where we come from, a powerful song can make all of us feel understood.

2026 MTV Video Music Awards Nominations

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean”
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, REI AMI – “Golden”
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
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, Malice – “Chains & Whips”
French Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me”
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part”

BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
Charli xcx – “SS26”
LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Olivia Rodrigo – “drop dead”
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

BEST HIP-HOP
Cardi B ft. 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 & Tems – “Raindance”
Justin Bieber – “YUKON”
Kehlani – “Folded”
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime”

BEST ALTERNATIVE
Geese – “Taxes”
mgk & 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 & Faithless – “New Religion”
Harry Styles – “Aperture”
Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY”
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
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 ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla”
Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA – “LA VILLA”
Shakira & 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 – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”

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 starring Yung Lean”
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
Taylor Swift – “Opalite”

BEST ART DIRECTION
Charli xcx – “SS26”
Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY”
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
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 – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
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 – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean”
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 X ZAYN – “Eyes Closed”
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

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