Madonna, Taylor Swift Lead VMA 2026 Nominations

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 ceremony 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). The host and this year’s Video Vanguard honoree have yet to be announced.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 OpheliaArtist of the YearAriana GrandeBruno MarsMadonnaMorgan WallenSabrina CarpenterTaylor SwiftSong 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 LeftyBest 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 PartBest 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 OpheliaBest Hip-HopCardi B & Kehlani - SafeDon Toliver - E85Drake - Janice STFUMegan Thee Stallion - Lover GirlTravis Scott - DumboTyler, the Creator - Sugar on My TongueBest R&BBruno Mars - I Just MightChris Brown - It Depends/ObviousDave & Tems - RaindanceJustin Bieber - YukonKehlani - FoldedMariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis - Is It a CrimeBest AlternativeGeese - TaxesMGK & Fred Durst - Fix Ur FaceNoah Kahan - The Great DivideOlivia Rodrigo - The CureSombr - HomewreckerTame Impala - DraculaTwenty One Pilots - Drag PathBest 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 GirlBest 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 DaiBest K-PopBlackpink - JumpBTS - SwimCortis - RedRedKatseye - Pinky UpLe Sserafim & J-Hope of BTS - SpaghettiLisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - DreamBest CountryElla Langley - Choosin’ TexasKacey Musgraves - Dry SpellLainey Wilson - Somewhere Over LaredoLuke Combs - Back in the SaddleShaboozey - CowgirlStella Lefty - BostonTucker Wetmore - BrunetteBest 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 - OpaliteBest Art DirectionCharli xcx - SS26Lady Gaga & Doechii - RunwayMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideSombr - My Body Isn’t ReadyTaylor Swift - The Fate of OpheliaBest 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 OpheliaBest 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 OpheliaBest ChoreographyGener8ion - Storm starring Yung LeanHarry Styles - Dance No MoreKatseye - Pinky UpMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmTate McRae - Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift - The Fate of OpheliaBest 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