Madonna leads the nominations for the upcoming 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with an impressive total of 11 nods, including coveted categories such as Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for her project “Confessions II – The Film.” This marks another milestone in her storied history with the VMAs, where she has previously secured 19 wins. Following closely behind is Taylor Swift, who garnered nine nominations this year, solidifying her status as a major contender in the music industry.
Other notable nominees include Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, each with seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson received five nods each. Additionally, Lisa, Shakira, and Tate McRae each earned three nominations. The 2026 VMAs also welcome a host of first-time nominees, including GENER8ION, Yung Lean, Cortis, Stella Lefty, Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiro, and Tucker Wetmore.
Return of the Best Dance Category
This year marks the return of the Best Dance category for the first time in seven years, featuring nominees such as Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” Lady Gaga and Doechii’s “Runway,” PinkPantheress’ “Stateside + Zara Larsson,” and Slayyyter’s “DANCE…”
Event Details and Fan Voting
The VMAs will take place live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, airing from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming available on Paramount+ in the U.S. Fan voting is currently open for 13 categories until September 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET, with the exception of Best New Artist, which will remain open until the show begins. Fans can maximize their voting power during Bacardi Rum’s Power Hour, which allows double votes per category daily from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. ET from August 20 through September 24. Voting can be done here.
For a complete list of nominations, visit TheWrap.
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