Madonna Leads Nominations and Opens the Show
Madonna tops the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations with 13 categories, matching the record Lady Gaga set in 2010 for the most nominations in a single year. She is followed by Taylor Swift with 11, Sabrina Carpenter with nine, and Ariana Grande with eight. The ceremony, hosted by three-time VMA winner Snoop Dogg, will air live on Sunday, Sept. 27 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Madonna will open the show with songs from her album Confessions II, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years.[S1]
Taylor Swift's New Honor and Travis Kelce's Absence
MTV and CBS announced in a Sept. 21 press release that Taylor Swift will be the first recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a newly established prize celebrating innovative musicians whose off-camera efforts have broadened what music videos can achieve and elevated visual storytelling. The world premiere of her video for "Patient Zero," taken from The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore, will occur during the simulcast. Her husband, Travis Kelce, is absent due to his Kansas City Chiefs playing an away game versus the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. That game should finish after Snoop Dogg starts hosting. Swift's friend Dakota Johnson, featured in the "Patient Zero" video, might accompany her on the red carpet.[S1][S2]
Performances, Tributes, and Presenters
Madonna, Kacey Musgraves, Lisa, Sombr, and additional acts are set to perform at the 2026 VMAs. Musgraves will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away last month at 80. Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims will join forces for a George Michael tribute, commemorating 40 years since his solo debut album Faith, with Adam Blackstone directing. Other performers include Gener8ion & Yung Lean, Shaboozey & Gunna, and Sienna Spiro. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award. Presenters include Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Brandon Sklenar, Charli xcx, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Troye Sivan, and Tyla.[S1]
How to Watch
The 2026 VMAs will be broadcast live on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 7:30-9:30pm ET/4:30-6:30pm PT on CBS, simulcast on MTV, and stream on Paramount+ (Premium) in the US. The following day, the show will be accessible globally on Paramount+ and MTV. Additional details can be found at MTV.com.[S1]
