Madonna Leads 2026 VMA Nominations With 11 Nods, Ahead of Taylor Swift

Madonna scored the most VMA nominations of any artist for the upcoming 2026 awards show. Madonna, who has long been an VMAs darling with 19 lifetime wins, received 11 VMA nominations, including artist of the year and video of the year for “Confessions II – The Film,” leading her closest competitor, Taylor Swift, by two nods. Swift, who has 30 wins under her belt, scored nine nominations this year, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter both nabbed seven nods. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson all scored five nods each, while Lisa scored three nominations and and Shakira and Tate McRae received three each. First time nominees include GENER8ION, Yung Lean, Cortis, Stella Lefty, Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiro and Tucker Wetmore. Notably, the best dance category returns for the first time in seven years, with nominees including Harry Styles’ “Aperture,” Lady Gaga and Doechii’s “Runway,”PinkPantheress’ “Stateside + Zara Larsson” and Slayyyter’s “DANCE…” The show also returns to Los Angeles as it broadcasts live on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on CBS. It will simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. Fan voting is now open for the 13 categories through Sept. 25 at 6:00 p.m. ET, except for best new artist, which fans can vote for into the show. Fans can get double the votes per category every day during Bacardi Rum’s Power Hour, running daily 1:00-2:00 p.m.,ET from Aug. 20 through Sept. 24. You can vote here. See the full list of nominations below. VIDEO OF THE YEARAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsGENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “Tears”- IslandTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records ARTIST OF THE YEARAriana Grande – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – Atlantic RecordsMadonna – Warner RecordsMorgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury RecordsSabrina Carpenter – IslandTaylor Swift – Republic Records SONG OF THE YEARBTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSICElla Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia RecordsHUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – “Golden” – Republic Records/Visva RecordsMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner RecordsOlivia Dean – “Man I Need” – IslandPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsRAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” – Human Re Sources BEST NEW ARTIST, presented by The General Insurance®Bella Kay – Atlantic RecordsCORTIS – BIGHIT MUSICMagnus Ferrell -Visva Records/Republic RecordsMalcolm Todd – Columbia RecordsMyles Smith – RCA RecordsSienna Spiro – Capitol RecordsStella Lefty – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost BEST COLLABORATIONClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips” – Roc Nation DistributionFrench Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me” – Coke Boys RecordsMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsShakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US LatinTeyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part” – Def Jam Recordings BEST POPAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsCharli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic RecordsLISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “drop dead” – Geffen RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records BEST HIP-HOPCardi B ft. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic RecordsDon Toliver – “E85” – Cactus Jack/ Atlantic RecordsDrake – “Janice STFU” – OVO/Republic RecordsMegan Thee Stallion – “LOVER GIRL” – Hot Girl ProductionsTravis Scott – “DUMBO” – Cactus Jack/Epic RecordsTyler, The Creator – “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE” – Columbia Records BEST R&BBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsChris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious” – RCA RecordsDave & Tems – “Raindance” – Neighbourhood Recordings/Capitol RecordsJustin Bieber – “YUKON” – Def Jam RecordingsKehlani – “Folded” – Atlantic RecordsMariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime” – Epic Records BEST ALTERNATIVEGeese – “Taxes” – Partisan Records/Play It Again Sammgk & Fred Durst – “FIX UR FACE” – EST 19XX LLC/Interscope RecordsNoah Kahan – “The Great Divide” – Mercury RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “the cure” – Geffen RecordsSOMBR – “Homewrecker” – SMB Music/Warner RecordsTame Impala – “Dracula” – Columbia Recordstwenty one pilots – “Drag Path” – Fueled By Ramen BEST DANCE, presented by BACARDÍ® RumBebe Rexha & Faithless – “New Religion” – Bebe Rexha Music LLC/EMPIREHarry Styles – “Aperture” – Columbia RecordsLady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNAWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsSlayyyter – “DANCE…” – RECORDS/Columbia RecordsTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records BEST LATINAnitta with Shakira – “Choka Choka” – Republic Records/UMLEBad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas EntertainmentFuerza Regida – “TU SANCHO” – Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US LatinKAROL G – “Papasito” – Bichota Records/Interscope RecordsRosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla” – Columbia RecordsRyan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA – “LA VILLA” – AWOO Corp./ Sony Music US LatinShakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin BEST K-POPBLACKPINK – “JUMP” – YG EntertainmentBTS – “SWIM” – BIGHIT MUSICCORTIS – “REDRED” – BIGHIT MUSICKATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen RecordsLE SSERAFIM (feat. j-hope of BTS) – “SPAGHETTI” – SOURCE MUSICLISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records BEST COUNTRY Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia RecordsKacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell” – Lost Highway/Interscope RecordsLainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Broken Bow RecordsLuke Combs – “Back in the Saddle” – Columbia NashvilleShaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIREStella Lefty – “Boston” – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost Tucker Wetmore – “Brunette” – Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records BEST DIRECTIONAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsGENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTaylor Swift – “Opalite” – Republic Records BEST ART DIRECTIONCharli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic RecordsLady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNAWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsSOMBR – “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records BEST CINEMATOGRAPHYA$AP Rocky – “PUNK ROCKY” – A$AP Worldwide/RCA RecordsAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsLISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsShaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRETaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records BEST EDITINGAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsLISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records BEST CHOREOGRAPHYGENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicHarry Styles – “Dance No More” – Columbia RecordsKATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records BEST VISUAL EFFECTSAriana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic RecordsJISOO X ZAYN – “Eyes Closed” – Warner RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsRAYE ft. Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.” – Human Re SourcesTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records