Taylor Swift, Madonna Lead Nods at 2026 MTV VMAs
Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, becoming the most awarded artist in VMA history, while Madonna secures the most nominations.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are set to honor Taylor Swift with the inaugural Artist Director Honors, making her the most awarded artist in VMA history. Swift, already tied with Beyoncé with 30 VMA wins, will add a 31st with this new award, which recognizes artists whose visual work has advanced music storytelling.
Swift will also debut the music video for her new song, “Patient Zero,” during the ceremony. Directed by Swift herself and featuring Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson, the visual marks her first release since her July marriage to Travis Kelce.
The two-hour show will broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern and 4:30 p.m. Pacific, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This marks the first time since 2017 that the VMAs have been held outside of New York or New Jersey.
The ceremony will also be simulcast on MTV and available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S., with global streaming on Paramount+ and MTV the following day. Snoop Dogg, a 13-time nominee and three-time winner, is set to host the event.
Madonna leads this year's nominations with 11 nods, spanning categories such as video, artist, and song of the year. She is also up for awards in best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, and visual effects. Madonna's extensive history at the VMAs includes 19 competitive wins, and she was the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1986. She is scheduled to open the show, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years.
Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, including video and artist of the year, best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography, and visual effects. Other artists with multiple nominations include Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven each, followed by Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson with five.
Performances will include a tribute to the late Dolly Parton by Kacey Musgraves, and a tribute to George Michael by Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims. Raye will also perform solo. Other scheduled performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean, Shaboozey with Gunna, and Lisa with Sienna Spiro. Presenters for the evening include Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Charli XCX, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Tyla, and Troye Sivan.