Madonna and Taylor Swift were among the big winners at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards that took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Madonna, with 13 nominations, and Swift (11 nominations) were the leading nominees. Among other top contenders were Sabrina Carpenter (9), Ariana Grande (8), Bruno Mars (6) and Pink Pantheress and Zara Larsson (5 each).
Madonna, who performed "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter, and "Danceteria Afterhours" with Charli XCX at the awards show, was a big winner that night, taking home as seven awards, including Artist of the Year, best dance (for her Confessions II short film) and best collaboration ("Bring Your Love" with Carpenter).
Swift won the first-ever Artist Director Honors and bagged the Video of the Year award for "The Fate of Ophelia" as well the award for best direction ("Opalite").
LISA won the best pop award for "Dream," featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. The best new artist award went to Sienna Spiro.
Snoop Dogg hosted the VMAs, which aired live on CBS.
Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton, delivering an acoustic performance of "I Will Always Love You." Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, Adam Lambert, and others honored the late George Michael with a medley of hits.
2026 MTV VMA Winners:
Video of the Year - Taylor Swift - "The Fate of Ophelia" - Republic RecordsArtist of the Year - Madonna - Warner RecordsBest Collaboration - Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - "Bring Your Love" - Warner RecordsBest Dance, presented by Bacardi Rum - Madonna - "Confessions II - The Film" - Warner RecordsBest New Artist, presented by The General Insurance - Sienna Spiro - Capitol RecordsBest Pop - Lisa - "Dream featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi" - Lloud Co. / RCA RecordsSong of the Year - BTS - "Swim" - BigHit MusicBest Hip-Hop - Cardi B ft. Kehlani - "Safe" - Atlantic RecordsBest R&B - Bruno Mars - "I Just Might" - Atlantic RecordsBest Alternative - Olivia Rodrigo - "the cure" - Geffen RecordsBest Latin - Bad Bunny - "NUEVAYoL" - Rimas EntertainmentBest K-POP - BTS - "SWIM" - BIGHIT MUSICBest Country - Ella Langley - "Choosin' Texas" - Columbia RecordsBest Direction - Taylor Swift - "Opalite" - Republic RecordsBest Art Direction - PinkPantheress - "Stateside + Zara Larsson" - Warner Records UK / Atlantic RecordsBest Cinematography - Madonna - "Confessions II - The Film" - Warner RecordsBest Edition - Sabrina Carpenter - "House Tour" - IslandBest Choreography - Madonna - "Confessions II - The Film" - Warner RecordsBest Visual Effects - Ariana Grande - "hate that i made you love me" - Republic RecordsBest Groups - BTSBest Long Form Video - Madonna - "Confessions II - The Film" - Warner RecordsBest Album - Madonna - Confessions II - Warner RecordsSong of the Summer - Ariana Grande - "hate that i made you love me" - Republic RecordsVideo Vanguard - NirvanaMTV VMA Artist Director Honors - Taylor Swift
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