The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations are out, with Madonna and Taylor Swift leading the pack. Madonna secured 11 nominations, including a spot for Video of the Year for Confessions II - The Film. Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, also earning a Video of the Year nod for The Fate of Ophelia.
The ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on September 27. It will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ and MTV. The show features a mix of veteran stars and newer artists, including PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, who earned five nominations each for their collaboration Stateside. Geese also received a nod in the Best Alternative category.
This year's lineup of awards reflects shifts in production priorities. Several categories present in previous years are absent from the 2026 announcement, such as Best Rock, Best Afrobeats, and Best Pop Artist. The organization has not yet named a host or the recipient of the Video Vanguard award for this ceremony.
Fans looking to track the full competition can view the complete list of nominees across categories like Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Collaboration. The event remains a central point for music industry recognition and serves as a major broadcast for the network.