MTV VMAs 2026 Nominees Announced: See the Full List Here

Madonna and Taylor Swift are the top nominees at this year’s Video Music Awards, with the former snagging 11 and the latter with nine. That includes nods for Video of the Year—Madge for Confessions II - The Film, Tay for Life of a Showgirl’s “The Fate of Ophelia”—alongside Bruno Mars (“I Just Might”), Gener8ion and Yung Lean (“Storm”), Ariana Grande (“Hate That I Made You Love Me”) and Sabrina Carpenter (“Tears”). Other notable nods include PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson (each with five total, including their Song of the Year remix collab “Stateside”) and Geese (one total, for “Taxes” in Best Alternative).

Per Billboard, several categories from previous years were not part of this year’s VMAs announcement: Best Rock, Best Afrobeats, Best Pop Artist, Push Performance of the Year, Best Album, Video for Good, Best Long-form Video, Best Group, and Song of the Summer.

The 2026 VMAs will broadcast live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27 and will once again air on CBS (with a simulcast on Paramount+ and on its original home of MTV). Snoop Dogg is set to host the ceremony, where Nirvana will be honored with this year’s Video Vanguard Award.

Video of the YearAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars - I Just MightGener8ion - Storm starring Yung LeanMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmSabrina Carpenter - TearsTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Artist of the YearAriana GrandeBruno MarsMadonnaMorgan WallenSabrina CarpenterTaylor Swift

Song of the YearBTS - SwimElla Langley - Choosin’ TexasHuntr/x - GoldenMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your LoveOlivia Dean - Man I NeedPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideRaye - Where Is My Husband!

Best New Artist, presented by The General Insurance®Bella KayCortisMagnus FerrellMalcolm ToddMyles SmithSienna SpiroStella Lefty

Best CollaborationClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice - Chains & WhipsFrench Montana & Max B - Ever Since U Left MeMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your LovePinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideShakira & Burna Boy - Dai DaiTeyana Taylor & Lucky Daye - Hard Part

Best PopAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeCharli xcx - SS26Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - DreamOlivia Rodrigo - Drop DeadSabrina Carpenter - House TourTate McRae - Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Hip-HopCardi B & Kehlani - SafeDon Toliver - E85Drake - Janice STFUMegan Thee Stallion - Lover GirlTravis Scott - DumboTyler, the Creator - Sugar on My Tongue

Best R&BBruno Mars - I Just MightChris Brown - It Depends/ObviousDave & Tems - RaindanceJustin Bieber - YukonKehlani - FoldedMariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis - Is It a Crime

Best AlternativeGeese - TaxesMGK & Fred Durst - Fix Ur FaceNoah Kahan - The Great DivideOlivia Rodrigo - The CureSombr - HomewreckerTame Impala - DraculaTwenty One Pilots - Drag Path

Best Dance, presented by Bacardí® RumBebe Rexha & Faithless - New ReligionHarry Styles - ApertureLady Gaga & Doechii - RunwayMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideSlayyyter - Dance…Tate McRae - Nobody’s Girl

Best LatinAnitta & Shakira - Choka ChokaBad Bunny - NuevayolFuerza Regida - Tu SanchoKarol G - PapasitoRosalía & Yahritza y Su Esencia - La PerlaRyan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta - La VillaShakira & Burna Boy - Dai Dai

Best K-PopBlackpink - JumpBTS - SwimCortis - RedRedKatseye - Pinky UpLe Sserafim & J-Hope of BTS - SpaghettiLisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - Dream

Best CountryElla Langley - Choosin’ TexasKacey Musgraves - Dry SpellLainey Wilson - Somewhere Over LaredoLuke Combs - Back in the SaddleShaboozey - CowgirlStella Lefty - BostonTucker Wetmore - Brunette

Best DirectionAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars - I Just MightGener8ion - Storm starring Yung LeanMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmSabrina Carpenter - House TourTaylor Swift - Opalite

Best Art DirectionCharli xcx - SS26Lady Gaga & Doechii - RunwayMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideSombr - My Body Isn’t ReadyTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best CinematographyA$AP Rocky - Punk RockyAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeLisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - DreamMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmShaboozey - CowgirlTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best EditingAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars - I Just MightLisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - DreamMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmSabrina Carpenter - House TourTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best ChoreographyGener8ion - Storm starring Yung LeanHarry Styles - Dance No MoreKatseye - Pinky UpMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmTate McRae - Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Visual EffectsAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeJisoo & Zayn - Eyes ClosedMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideRaye & Hans Zimmer - Click Clack SymphonyTaylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia