Here are the key details such as list of nominees and how to vote for the highly anticipated 2926 MTV VMAs.
The nominees for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards have been announced, setting up a star-studded race led by Madonna, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter.
Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11 nods, her highest-ever total at the VMAs, while Taylor Swift follows closely with nine. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each earned seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson received five apiece.
The 2026 VMAs will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Full list of 2026 VMAs nominees
The full list of nominations:
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 – “Runway” – 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
How to vote for the 2026 VMAs
Fans can vote online through the official MTV voting platform.
Vote for the 2026 MTV VMAsVoting is open in 13 fan-voted categories and will close on September 25 at 6 p.m. ET. The exception is Best New Artist, which will remain open through the live ceremony.
To vote:
Visit the official MTV VMA voting page.
Select the category you want to vote in.
Choose your preferred nominee.
Follow the on-screen instructions to submit your vote.
Repeat the process for the other eligible categories.
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