Madonna's reign at the MTV Video Music Awards continues as she leads the 2026 nominations with 11 nods, marking her first top spot since 1998. This year's VMAs showcase a diverse range of artists, with seven of the eight most-nominated artists being women. The nominations highlight the impact of longer-form music videos, with Madonna's 'Confessions II - The Film' and Taylor Swift's 'All Too Well: The Short Film' both recognized. Swift, a record-holder with 30 Moon Persons, follows closely behind with nine nominations, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each receive seven nods. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson tie for fifth with five nominations each, and LISA rounds out the top eight with four nominations.
The category of Video of the Year features a mix of established and emerging artists. Past winners Grande, Madonna, and Swift are back in the running, alongside newcomers Bruno Mars, Carpenter, and GENER8ION's 'Storm'. The latter, a collaboration between French DJ Surkin and director Romain Gavras, stars Swedish rapper Yung Lean and may gain traction from its unique concept. Grande also leads the Artist of the Year category for a record-extending sixth time, with Swift close behind at five nominations.
The Best New Artist category introduces several fresh faces, including Bella Kay, CORTIS, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro, and Stella Lefty. Spiro and Ella Langley are considered leading contenders for the Grammy in this category. First-time nominees GENER8ION and Yung Lean each receive three nominations, while CORTIS and Lefty secure two nods. Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, and Tucker Wetmore also compete for their first Moon Persons.
The VMAs also introduce a Best Dance category after a seven-year hiatus, with Madonna as a potential frontrunner for her 'Confessions II - The Film'. Other notable categories include Best Pop, Best Hip-Hop, Best R&B, Best Alternative, Best Latin, Best K-Pop, and Best Country, each featuring a mix of established and emerging artists. The technical categories, such as Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects, further showcase the creativity and craftsmanship behind the nominated videos.
The 2026 VMAs will be a celebration of diverse talent, with fan voting open for 13 categories until September 25. The show, broadcast live from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, will air on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+ in the U.S., and globally the next day. The event promises to be a highlight of the music industry, with a star-studded lineup and a focus on recognizing artistic excellence.
