Madonna Leads VMAs Nominations With 11, Followed by Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande

It’s no time warp — Madonna leads all other divas in nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, with 11 nods, it was announced Tuesday morning. She’s followed by Taylor Swift, with nine nominations, and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, with seven each.

Others with multiple shots at a Moon Person (as the awards have been non-gender-specifically known for many years now) include Bruno Mars, Zara Larsson and PinkPantheress with five nominations each. Blackpink’s Lisa with four, and Tate McRae and Shakira, tied with three each.

The VMAs will take place this year at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, marking the first time the show has been held on the west coast in nine years. It last was broadcast from L.A. in 2017, when it was hosted by Katy Perry from the pre-Kia Forum.

The two-hour show will air Sept. 27 on CBS, MTV and Paramount+. It will air live on both coasts at 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 PT. A host has not yet been revealed.

Fan voting in 13 categories is now open at vote.mtv.com through Sept. 25. One additional category, best new artists, will remain open for fan votes all the way into the live telecast.

Artist of the year is a contest between Madonna, Swift, Grande, Carpenter, Mars and Morgan Wallen. The six candidates for video of the year are Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film,” Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” Carpenter’s “Tears,” Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Mars’ “I Just Might” and Gener8ion’s “Storm Starring Yung Lean.”

The best new artist nominees are SIenna Spiro, Stella Lefty, Malcolmn Todd, Bella Kay, Cortis, Myles Smith and Magnus Ferrell. Scroll down for a full list of 2026 nominees.

The 2026 VMAs are being produced by Gunpowder & Sky, with MTV veteran Van Toffler as lead producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barbara Bialkowski, Bruce Gillmer, Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer are the show’s executive producers. Melanie Block is co-executive producer and Gary Lanvy is co-producer.

VIDEO OF THE YEARAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsGENER8ION – “Storm Starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “Tears”- IslandTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

ARTIST OF THE YEARAriana Grande – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – Atlantic RecordsMadonna – Warner RecordsMorgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury RecordsSabrina Carpenter – IslandTaylor Swift – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEARBTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSICElla Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia RecordsHUNTR/X: Ejae, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden” – Republic Records/Visva RecordsMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner RecordsOlivia Dean – “Man I Need” – IslandPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsRaye – “Where Is My Husband!!” – Human Re Sources

BEST NEW ARTISTBella Kay – Atlantic RecordsCortis – BIGHIT MUSICMagnus Ferrell -Visva Records/Republic RecordsMalcolm Todd – Columbia RecordsMyles Smith – RCA RecordsSienna Spiro – Capitol RecordsStella Lefty – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost

BEST COLLABORATIONClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips” – Roc Nation DistributionFrench Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me” – Coke Boys RecordsMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsShakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US LatinTeyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part” – Def Jam Recordings

BEST POPAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsCharli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic RecordsLisa – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “drop dead” – Geffen RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

BEST HIP-HOPCardi B ft. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic RecordsDon Toliver – “E85” – Cactus Jack/ Atlantic RecordsDrake – “Janice STFU” – OVO/Republic RecordsMegan Thee Stallion – “LOVER GIRL” – Hot Girl ProductionsTravis Scott – “DUMBO” – Cactus Jack/Epic RecordsTyler, the Creator – “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE” – Columbia Records

BEST R&BBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsChris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious” – RCA RecordsDave & Tems – “Raindance” – Neighbourhood Recordings/Capitol RecordsJustin Bieber – “YUKON” – Def Jam RecordingsKehlani – “Folded” – Atlantic RecordsMariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime” – Epic Records

BEST ALTERNATIVEGeese – “Taxes” – Partisan Records/Play It Again SamMGK & Fred Durst – “Fix Ur Face” – EST 19XX LLC/Interscope RecordsNoah Kahan – “The Great Divide” – Mercury RecordsOlivia Rodrigo – “The Cure” – Geffen RecordsSombr – “Homewrecker” – SMB Music/Warner RecordsTame Impala – “Dracula” – Columbia RecordsTwenty One Pilots – “Drag Path” – Fueled By Ramen

BEST DANCEBebe Rexha & Faithless – “New Religion” – Bebe Rexha Music LLC/EMPIREHarry Styles – “Aperture” – Columbia RecordsLady Gaga & Doechii – “Runaway” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsSlayyyter – “Dance…” – RECORDS/Columbia RecordsTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records

BEST LATINAnitta with Shakira – “Choka Choka” – Republic Records/UMLEBad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas EntertainmentFuerza Regida – “TU SANCHO” – Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US LatinKarol G – “Papasito” – Bichota Records/Interscope RecordsRosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla” – Columbia RecordsRyan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta- “LA VILLA” – AWOO Corp./ Sony Music US LatinShakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin

BEST K-POPBlackpink – “Jump” – YG EntertainmentBTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSICCortis – “REDRED” – BIGHIT MUSICKatseye – “Pinky Up” – HYBE x Geffen RecordsLE SSERAFIM (feat. J-Hope of BTS) – “SPAGHETTI” – SOURCE MUSICLisa- “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records

BEST COUNTRYElla Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia RecordsKacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell” – Lost Highway/Interscope RecordsLainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Broken Bow RecordsLuke Combs – “Back in the Saddle” – Columbia NashvilleShaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIREStella Lefty – “Boston” – Sandlot/Atlantic OutpostTucker Wetmore – “Brunette” – Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records

BEST DIRECTIONAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsGENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTaylor Swift – “Opalite” – Republic Records

BEST ART DIRECTIONCharli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic RecordsLady Gaga & Doechii – “Runaway” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsSombr – “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHYA$AP Rocky – “Punk Rocky” – A$AP Worldwide/RCA RecordsAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsLisa – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsShaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRETaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

BEST EDITINGAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsBruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic RecordsLisa – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsSabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – IslandTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

BEST CHOREOGRAPHYGENER8ION – “Storm starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast MusicHarry Styles – “Dance No More” – Columbia RecordsKatseye – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsTate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA RecordsTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

BEST VISUAL EFFECTSAriana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic RecordsJisoo X Zayn – “Eyes Closed” – Warner RecordsMadonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner RecordsPinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic RecordsRaye ft. Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.” – Human Re SourcesTaylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records