Madonna tops 2026 MTV VMA nominations, Swift close to record
Madonna received 11 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, while Taylor Swift follows with nine, positioning both artists near the record for most VMA wins.
Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations with 11 nods across categories such as video, artist and song of the year, best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects. The pop icon, who has won 19 competitive VMAs and was the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1986, could tie Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most-awarded musician in VMA history if she wins all her categories.
Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, including video and artist of the year, best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects. A single win would make her the most-awarded artist in VMA history.
Other artists with multiple nominations include Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter (seven each), Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson (five each), and Blackpink’s Lisa (four). The artist of the year category also features Morgan Wallen.
The video of the year contest pits Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” against Madonna’s “Confessions II — The Film,” Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Mars’ “I Just Might,” Carpenter’s “Tear” and GENER8ION’s “Storm” featuring Yung Lean.
The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, with simultaneous streams on MTV and Paramount+. It will be available worldwide on Paramount+ the following day.
Fan voting opened Tuesday for 13 categories and runs until Sept. 25. Voting for best new artist will continue during the live show.