Music fans won’t want to miss this one. This Sunday, September 27, the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, will host the 2026 edition of the MTV Video Music Awards. Throughout the night, several artists will have the chance to go home with one or more trophies.
This year, Madonna tops the nominations and is in the running in 11 categories, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year. The icon, who lit up the very first MTV Video Music Awards ceremony in 1984 with a performance of “Like a Virgin,” leads ahead of Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, each with seven nominations. The Queen of Pop also left a lasting impression at the VMAs in 2003 with the famous kiss she shared with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Twenty-three years after her last VMAs performance, Madonna returns to illuminate the iconic show on September 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. Riding the wave of her new album Confessions II, Madonna will kick off the ceremony.
Other artists are set to take the stage for the occasion, including LISA who will perform her new track SaWaDika, as well as British artist RAYE and GENER8ION. The duo formed by French DJ Surkin and French director Romain Gavras will make its VMAs debut with Swedish rapper Yung Lean to present the track Storm II. And not to forget Shaboozey, who will sing Cowgirl and will be joined by Gunna to perform their collaboration, High Noon.
But that's not all, as Sombr will return to the VMAs for a George Michael tribute alongside Raye and Teddy Swims. Kacey Musgraves will also deliver a special performance honoring Dolly Parton.
Beyond these performances and the awards ceremony, the MTV Video Music Awards will also pay tribute to Nirvana; the iconic Seattle grunge band will receive for the occasion the Video Vanguard Award, 34 years after the group's first VMAs performance. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift will receive the very first MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a new accolade honoring artists whose behind-the-camera work has broadened the horizons of the music video.
MTV Video Music Awards 2026: Here's the complete list of nominees
Madonna, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Sabrina Carpenter and Bruno Mars... Who will have the honor of walking away with one or more trophies? Who will be on cloud nine as they take the stage to collect their prize? The answer comes this Sunday, September 27, during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, held in Los Angeles. [Read more]
MTV Video Music Awards 2026: Here's the complete list of nominees
