2026 VMAs Nominations Revealed: See the Full List
Madonna Leads the Pack at the 2026 MTV VMAs: Everything You Need to Know
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are shaping up to be a historic night! The nominations were just announced, and the Queen of Pop herself, Madonna, is leading the charge with a whopping 11 nominations. Hot on her heels are music giants like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just tuning in for the performances, here is your simple, complete guide to this year’s big nominees, the new categories, and how you can vote.
The Big Story: Madonna’s Historic Comeback
IMPORTANT POINT
Madonna is the top nominee this year with 11 nods. This caps off a massive comeback year for the icon. Her new album, Confessions II, debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts last month—her first #1 album in nearly 20 years! Critics are calling it her best work since the original Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005).
She is nominated for the night’s biggest awards, including:
- Artist of the Year
- Video of the Year (for "Confessions II – The Film")
- Song of the Year (for her duet with Sabrina Carpenter, "Bring Your Love")
The Runner-Ups: A Battle of Superstars
Right behind Madonna, the competition is fierce:
| Artist | Total Nominations | Key Nominations |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Swift | 9 | Artist of the Year, Video of the Year ("The Fate of Ophelia") |
| Ariana Grande | 7 | Artist of the Year, Video of the Year ("hate that i made you love me") |
| Sabrina Carpenter | 7 | Artist of the Year, Video of the Year ("Tears"), Best New Artist nominee (Magnus Ferrell) |
| Bruno Mars | 5 | Artist of the Year, Video of the Year ("I Just Might") |
Morgan Wallen rounds out the Artist of the Year category with his first nomination in that top tier.
The Major Categories: Who’s Up for the Moon Person?
Here are the nominees for the three biggest awards of the night.
Video of the Year
The biggest prize of the night, honoring the best overall music video.
- 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
Honors the artist who had the biggest overall impact this year.
- Ariana Grande
- Bruno Mars
- Madonna
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
Focuses purely on the songwriting and composition.
- BTS – "Swim"
- Ella Langley – "Choosin’ Texas"
- *HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI) – "Golden" (from the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters)
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – "Bring Your Love"
- Olivia Dean – "Man I Need"
- PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – "Stateside" (Remix)
- RAYE – "Where Is My Husband!"
Best New Artist: Meet the Fresh Faces
Presented by The General Insurance®
These are the artists breaking through in a big way this year:
- Bella Kay (Atlantic Records)
- CORTIS (BIGHIT MUSIC) — Also nominated for Best K-Pop!
- Magnus Ferrell (Visva/Republic Records) — Yes, that’s Will Ferrell’s son!
- Malcolm Todd (Columbia Records)
- Myles Smith (RCA Records)
- Sienna Spiro (Capitol Records)
- Stella Lefty (Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost) — Also nominated for Best Country!
Exciting News: Best Dance Returns!
IMPORTANT POINT
The "Best Dance" category is back for the first time in 7 years! Presented by BACARDÍ® Rum, it recognizes the hottest electronic and dance tracks. Madonna is nominated here too for "Confessions II – The Film," alongside big names like Lady Gaga & Doechii, Harry Styles, and Tate McRae.
Mark Your Calendars: Show Details
- Date: Saturday, September 27, 2026
- Location: Los Angeles (First time back in LA since 2017!)
- TV Channel: CBS (with a simulcast on MTV)
- Voting Window: NOW through September 25 at 6:00 PM ET
- Where to Vote: vote.mtv.com (Fan voting decides the winners!)
Full Nominee List by Genre & Craft
The VMAs celebrate specific genres and behind-the-scenes talent, too. Here are the other key categories:
Genre Categories
Click to see Best Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, Alternative, Latin, K-Pop & Country nominees
**Best Pop**
– Ariana Grande, Charli xcx, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift
**Best Hip-Hop**
– Cardi B ft. Kehlani, Don Toliver, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott, Tyler, The Creator
**Best R&B**
– Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Dave & Tems, Justin Bieber, Kehlani, Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
**Best Alternative**
– Geese, mgk & Fred Durst, Noah Kahan, Olivia Rodrigo, SOMBR, Tame Impala, twenty one pilots
**Best Latin**
– Anitta & Shakira, Bad Bunny, Fuerza Regida, KAROL G, Rosalía, Ryan Castro, Shakira & Burna Boy
**Best K-Pop**
– BLACKPINK, BTS, CORTIS, KATSEYE, LE SSERAFIM (ft. j-hope), LISA
**Best Country**
– Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Stella Lefty, Tucker Wetmore
Behind-the-Scenes Categories (Technical Awards)
These awards honor the directors, designers, and editors who make the videos look amazing.
| Category | Key Nominees (Madonna, Taylor, Ariana dominate here too!) |
|---|---|
| Best Direction | Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, GENER8ION, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift |
| Best Art Direction | Charli xcx, Lady Gaga & Doechii, Madonna, PinkPantheress, SOMBR, Taylor Swift |
| Best Cinematography | A$AP Rocky, Ariana Grande, LISA, Madonna, Shaboozey, Taylor Swift |
| Best Editing | Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, LISA, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift |
| Best Choreography | GENER8ION, Harry Styles, KATSEYE, Madonna, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift |
| Best Visual Effects | Ariana Grande, JISOO X ZAYN, Madonna, PinkPantheress, RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer, Taylor Swift |
| Best Collaboration | Clipse/Kendrick/Pusha T/Malice, French Montana x Max B, Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter, PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson, Shakira & Burna Boy, Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye |
Summary: What You Need to Remember
- Madonna is the Queen of Nominations with 11, fueled by her acclaimed Confessions II project.
- Taylor Swift (9), Ariana Grande (7), & Sabrina Carpenter (7) are her closest rivals.
- Best Dance is a brand new (returning) category this year.
- The show airs live from LA on Sept 27 on CBS/MTV.
- YOU decide the winners! Vote at vote.mtv.com before Sept 25 at 6 PM ET.
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
1. When and where can I watch the 2026 VMAs?
The show airs live on Saturday, September 27, 2026, from Los Angeles. You can watch on CBS or MTV (simulcast).
2. How do I vote for my favorite artists?
Go to vote.mtv.com right now! Voting is open until September 25 at 6:00 PM ET. You can vote for all categories.
3. Why is Madonna nominated so many times this year?
She released Confessions II (a sequel to her classic 2005 album), which hit #1 on the Billboard charts. The project includes the film "Confessions II – The Film" and the hit duet "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter, earning her nods in Video, Artist, Song, Direction, Choreography, Editing, Visual Effects, Art Direction, Cinematography, Dance, and Collaboration.
4. Who are the "Best New Artist" nominees?
There are seven nominees: Bella Kay, CORTIS, Magnus Ferrell (Will Ferrell’s son!), Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro, and Stella Lefty.
5. Is the "Best Dance" category new?
It’s not new, but it’s back after a 7-year hiatus! It returned this year presented by BACARDÍ® Rum, featuring nominees like Madonna, Lady Gaga & Doechii, and Harry Styles.