Madonna, Taylor Swift Lead 2026 VMA Nominations

Madonna is the top nominee heading into the 2026 MTV VMAs , the network announced on Tuesday, with the pop icon earning 11 nominations overall this year, including for artist of the year, video of the year, song of the year for her Sabrina Carpenter collaboration “Bring Your Love” and video of the year for “Confessions II – The Film.”

Taylor Swift , the most-awarded act in VMAs history, came in second this year with nine nominations, including for artist of the year and video of the year with “The Fate of Ophelia.” Ariana Grande and Carpenter are tied for third with seven each. Both earned artist and video of the year nods as well; Grande’s “hate that i made you love me” is up for video of the year, as is Carpenter’s “Tears.” Related Stories TV 'Beef' Isn't 'Veep.' Its Emmy-Nominated Editor Explains Why That Matters TV Judd Apatow on Archival Clips in His Mel Brooks Doc: "If We Don't Put It In, It Will Never Be Seen Again"

The last two acts for this year’s video of the year race are Bruno Mars for “I Just Might,” and Gener8ion for “STORM starring Yung Lean.” Mars, who has five nominations overall, is also up for artist of the year, with Morgan Wallen rounding out the nominees in the category.

Madonna’s VMAs feat is the latest in a resurgent year for the superstar, whose Confessions II debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart last month. The album has been widely regarded as her best since 2005’s original Confessions on a Dance Floor.

For song of the year, along with “Bring Your Love,” the rest of the nominees are BTS’s “Swim,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” K-Pop Demon Hunters ‘ smash “Golden,” Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside” remix and Raye’s “Where is My Husband!”

This year’s best new artist race features Bella Kay, Malcom Todd, CORTIS, Sienna Spiro, Myles Smith, Stella Lefty and Magnus Ferrell.

This year’s show, which will once again air on CBS and simulcast on MTV, will also feature the best dance category for the first time in seven years.

The VMAs are set to air live from Los Angeles on Sept. 27, marking the first time the show will have taken place in L.A. since 2017. Fans are able to vote on the categories from now through Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.