MTV VMAs 2026: Full list of winners and nominees

September 28, 2026 — 8:51amThe red carpet has officially been unrolled for the wildest awards show in entertainment, but the best is yet to come from the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).The VMAs had earned its chaotic reputation long before the artist formerly known as Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech in 2009, and that’s in large part thanks to Madonna. And on Sunday night at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theatre (Monday morning AEST), the Queen of Pop is gracing the stage and performing at the VMAs for the first time in 23 years.Madonna received 13 nominations, while Taylor Swift has nine nods.AP PhotoA quick refresher for the uninitiated: Madonna’s first performance at the VMAs was in 1984, an edgy rendition of Like A Virgin some critics dubbed obscene. She upped the edgy ante in 2003, when she performed the opening medley with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera … and locked lips with them.It’s not just the Madonna show tonight – though she is nominated 13 times, the most of any artist this year. Fellow VMAs heavy hitter Swift is receiving the inaugural VMA Artist Director Honours, marking her 31st VMA win overall and breaking her tie with Beyoncé to become the most-awarded artist in the award show’s history (Swift is nominated in nine categories, going up against Madonna in seven of them).On the Australian front, it’s a little quiet this year. Tame Impala is the only homegrown artist nominated, with Dracula getting a nod in the best alternative category.Read on to see the full list of winners and nominations at the 2026 MTV VMAs.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 SwiftTeyana Taylor Campbell, nominated in the best collaboration category, is pictured here on the blue carpet. The MTV VMAs has a reputation for being the wildest awards show in entertainment, and the arrivals carpet is only one part of it.Frazer Harrison/Getty Song of the YearBTS, SwimElla Langley, Choosin’ TexasHuntr/X: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, GoldenMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter, Bring Your LoveOlivia Dean, Man I NeedPinkPantheress, Stateside + Zara LarssonRaye, Where Is My Husband!Best New ArtistBella KayCortisMagnus FerrellMalcolm ToddMyles SmithSienna SpiroStella LeftyBest CollaborationClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice, Chains & WhipsFrench Montana x Max B, Ever Since U Left MeMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter, Bring Your LovePinkPantheress, Stateside + Zara LarssonShakira & Burna Boy, Dai DaiTeyana Taylor & Lucky Daye, Hard PartBest PopAriana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love MeCharli xcx, SS26LISA feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi, DreamOlivia Rodrigo, Drop DeadSabrina Carpenter, House TourTate McRae, Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBest Hip-HopCardi B feat. Kehlani, SafeDon Toliver, E85Drake, Janice STFUMegan Thee Stallion, Lover GirlTravis Scott, DumboTyler, the Creator, Sugar on My TongueRaye is nominated for song of the year for Where Is My Husband!Getty ImagesBest 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 DanceBebe Rexha & Faithless, New ReligionHarry Styles, ApertureLady Gaga & Doechii, RunwayPinkPantheress, Stateside + Zara LarssonSlayyyter, Dance…Tate McRae, Nobody’s GirlBest LatinAnitta with Shakira, Choka ChokaBad Bunny, NuevayolFuerza Regida, Tu SanchoKarol G, PapasitoRosalía feat. Yahritza Y Su Esencia, La PerlaRyan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta, La VillaShakira & Burna Boy, Dai DaiBest K-PopBlackpink, JumpBTS, SwimCortis, RedredKatseye, Pinky UpLe Sserafim (feat. J-Hope of BTS), SpaghettiLISA feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi, DreamMadonna is returning to perform on the VMAs stage for the first time in 23 years. Her last performance was with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in 2003.REUTERSBest 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, Stateside + Zara LarssonSombr, My Body Isn’t ReadyTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBest CinematographyA$AP Rocky, Punk RockyAriana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love MeLisa feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi, DreamMadonna, Confessions II — The FilmShaboozey, CowgirlTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBest EditingAriana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars, I Just MightLisa feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi, DreamMadonna, Confessions II - The FilmSabrina Carpenter, House TourTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBest ChoreographyGener8ion, Storm starring Yung LeanHarry Styles, Dance No MoreKatseye, Pinky UpMadonna, Confessions II — The FilmTate McRae, Nobody’s GirlTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBlackpink’s Lisa is nominated in the best editing category for Dream.Frazer Harrison/GettyBest Visual EffectsAriana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love MeJisoo x Zayn, Eyes ClosedMadonna, Confessions II — The FilmPinkPantheress, Stateside + Zara LarssonRaye feat. Hans Zimmer, Click Clack SymphonyTaylor Swift, The Fate of OpheliaBest GroupBlackpinkBTSCortisFuerza RegidaGeeseKatseyeTwenty One PilotsBest Long Form VideoCharli xcx, Music, Fashion, FilmElla Langley, Choosin’ TexasGener8ion, Storm starring Yung LeanMadonna, Confessions II — The FilmBest AlbumDrake, IcemanMadonna, Confessions IIOlivia Dean, The Art of LovingOlivia Rodrigo, You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in LoveSabrina Carpenter, Man’s Best FriendTaylor Swift, The Life of a ShowgirlSong of the SummerAriana Grande, Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars, Risk It AllCharli xcx, CameraElla Langley, Choosin’ TexasKatseye, Hootie FruttiLatto feat. Doja Cat, OkayyyMorgan Wallen, Been by NowOlivia Dean, So Easy (To Fall in Love)Olivia Rodrigo, Stupid SongSabrina Carpenter, House TourSlayyyter, Brand New Chanel$Sombr, HomewreckerStella Lefty, BostonTame Impala and Jennie, DraculaTaylor Swift, I Knew It, I Knew YouStart the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.Bronte Gossling is a reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAtoday and Brisbane Times.Connect via email.From our partners