MTV VMAs 2026: A Night Of Big Wins & Standout Moments

The MTV VMAs 2026 brought some of music’s biggest stars together in Los Angeles on Sunday night (27th September), with the annual ceremony taking place at the Peacock Theatre.

Snoop Dogg hosted this year’s ceremony, which aired live on CBS. Madonna opened the show, setting the tone for a night packed with performances, tributes and special appearances. Kacey Musgraves delivered a tribute to Dolly Parton, while RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims came together to honour George Michael. Nirvana were also recognised with the prestigious Video Vanguard Award. Elsewhere, LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, Gunna, GENER8ION and Yung Lean were among the artists taking to the VMAs stage throughout the night.

Madonna emerged as the biggest winner of the night, collecting an impressive seven awards. Three of those victories came during the main ceremony, including Artist of the Year, Best Dance for 'Confessions II – The Film' and Best Collaboration for 'Bring Your Love' alongside Sabrina Carpenter.

Taylor Swift also enjoyed a memorable night. The singer-songwriter became the first recipient of the Artist Director Honors before unveiling her latest self-directed music video for new track 'Patient Zero'. Swift later returned to the stage to collect the night’s final prize, Video of the Year, for 'The Fate of Ophelia'. The visual also earned her the award for Best Direction, while 'Opalite' added another win to her tally.

Check out the full list of winners and nominees from the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards below.

Video of the Year

Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records

Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records

GENER8ION – “STORM” starring Yung Lean – Iconoclast Music

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records

Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears” – Island

Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande – Republic Records

Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records

Madonna – Warner Records

Morgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Island

Taylor Swift – Republic Records

Song of the Year

BTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSIC

Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records

HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – “Golden” – Republic Records/Visva Records

Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – "Bring Your Love” – Warner Records

Olivia Dean – “Man I Need” – Island

PinkPantheress + Zara Larsson – “Stateside” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records

RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” – Human Re Sources

Best New Artist

Bella Kay – Atlantic Records

CORTIS – BIGHIT MUSIC

Magnus Ferrell – Visva Records/Republic Records

Malcolm Todd – Columbia Records

Myles Smith – RCA Records

Sienna Spiro – Capitol Records

Stella Lefty – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost

Best Collaboration

Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips” – Roc Nation Distribution

French Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me” – Coke Boys Records

Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner Records

PinkPantheress + Zara Larsson – “Stateside” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records

Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin

Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part” – Def Jam Recordings

Best Hip-Hop

Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic Records

Don Toliver – “E85” – Cactus Jack/Atlantic Records

Drake – “Janice STFU” – OVO/Republic Records

Megan Thee Stallion – “LOVER GIRL” – Hot Girl Productions

Travis Scott – “DUMBO” – Cactus Jack/Epic Records

Tyler, The Creator – “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE” – Columbia Records

Best R&B

Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records

Chris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious” – RCA Records

Dave & Tems – “Raindance” – Neighbourhood Recordings/Capitol Records

Justin Bieber – “YUKON” – Def Jam Recordings

Kehlani – “Folded” – Atlantic Records

Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime” – Epic Records

Best Art Direction

Charli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic Records

Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY” – Lil Monsters/TDE/Interscope Records/Capitol Records

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records

PinkPantheress + Zara Larsson – “Stateside” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records

SOMBR – “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner Records

Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

Best Cinematography

A$AP Rocky – “PUNK ROCKY” – A$AP Worldwide/RCA Records

Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records

LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records

Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records

Shaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE

Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records

Best Album

Drake – ICEMAN – OVO/Republic Records

Madonna – Confessions II – Warner Records

Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving – Island

Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love – Geffen Records

Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend – Island

Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl – Republic Records