2026 MTV Video Music Award Nominations: Madonna Leads with 11 Nominations, Taylor Swift Aims for Record-Breaking Wins
The 2026 MTV Video Music Award nominations have been announced, with Madonna leading the pack with 11 nominations. Madonna has been a dominant force in the music industry for decades and has won 19 competitive MTV VMA awards. Following closely behind is Taylor Swift with nine nominations, aiming to become the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Other artists with multiple nominations include Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Pink Pantheress, and Zara Larsson.
The artist of the year category features a diverse lineup of nominees, including Grande, Mars, Carpenter, and Swift. The highly anticipated video of the year award will see top contenders like Swift's "The Fate of Ophelia" and Madonna's "Confessions II — The Film" vying for the prestigious prize. The awards show will be broadcast live on CBS on September 27 and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+.
This year's Video Music Awards showcase 26 first-time nominees, including GENER8ION, Yung Lean, CORTIS, and Stella Lefty. The best dance category has made a comeback after seven years, featuring exciting nominees like Tate McRae, Bebe Rexha, Harry Styles, Lady Gaga, Madonna, PinkPantheress, and Slayyyter. Fan voting is open online across 13 categories until September 25, so make sure to cast your vote for your favorite artists and videos.