The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards belonged to Taylor Swift and Madonna.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles proved that pop royalty never goes out of style. Taking over the West Coast broadcast live across CBS, MTV, and Paramount+, the telecast belonged unequivocally to two industry titans: Taylor Swift and Madonna.
Host Snoop Dogg kept the tempo moving, but it was the female powerhouses who drove the night’s biggest cultural moments. Madonna emerged as the top victor, taking home seven Moon Persons—including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration alongside Sabrina Carpenter. The duo set the tone early with an electrifying opening performance of “Bring Your Love,” though Madonna shared a lighthearted behind-the-scenes detail during her acceptance speech. The pop icon dryly noted that when she first reached out to Carpenter about collaborating, the rising star took five full days to text back. Reflecting on her massive year, Madonna offered an empowering message to creators everywhere: “I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself, and making the music I want to make,” she told the crowd. “That is the definition of being an artist.”
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift expanded her directorial legacy by taking home the night’s premier prize, Video of the Year, alongside Best Direction for “Opalite.” Swift was also honored with the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, presented by Dakota Johnson, who stars in Swift’s cinematic new music video for “Patient Zero” (which premiered during the telecast). Addressing her devoted fan base, Swift emphasized that her passion for visual storytelling stems directly from their enthusiasm, before dedicating her Video of the Year award to the “ultimate showgirl,” Dolly Parton.
Beyond the top headlines, the broadcast delivered a rich mix of genre triumphs and historic honors. Lisa snagged Best Pop for “Dream,” while British vocal powerhouse Sienna Spiro captured Best New Artist. Hip-hop icon Chuck D presented grunge pioneers Nirvana with the Video Vanguard Award, accepted onstage by Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear. Musically, the broadcast balanced star-studded tributes—such as Kacey Musgraves honoring Parton, and a joint tribute to George Michael by Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims—with energetic performances by Gener8ion, Yung Lean, Lisa, Shaboozey, Gunna, and Spiro. A stacked roster of presenters kept the energy high, featuring Teyana Taylor, Charli xcx, David Corenswet, Tyla, Troye Sivan, Jeff Probst, and Paris Hilton. Produced by Gunpowder & Sky alongside executive producer Van Toffler, the 2026 VMAs delivered on its promise of an atypical, fast-paced awards spectacle.
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 (WINNER)
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
Madonna – Warner Records (WINNER)
Morgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury Records
Sabrina Carpenter – Island
Taylor Swift – Republic Records
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 (WINNER)
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 (WINNER)
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part” – Def Jam Recordings
Song of the Year
BTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSIC (WINNER)
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 – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” – Human Re Sources
Song of Summer
Ariana Grande, “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic Records (WINNER)
Bruno Mars, “Risk It All” – Atlantic Records
Charli xcx, “Camera” – Atlantic Records
Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
KATSEYE, “Hootie Frutti” – HYBE x Geffen Records
Latto ft. Doja Cat, “Okayyy” – Steamcut / RCA Records
Morgan Wallen, “Been By Now – Big Loud / Mercury Records
Olivia Dean, “So Easy (To Fall in Love)” – Island
Olivia Rodrigo, “Stupid Song” – Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter, “House Tour” – Island
Slayyyter, “Brand New Chanel$” – RECORDS/Columbia Records
sombr, “Homewrecker” – SMB Music / Warner Records
Stella Lefty, “Boston” – Sandlot / Atlantic Outpost
Tame Impala & JENNIE, “Dracula” – Columbia Records
Taylor Swift, “I Knew It, I Knew You” – Walt Disney Records / Republic Records
Best Pop
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
Charli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic Records
LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records (WINNER)
Olivia Rodrigo – “drop dead” – Geffen Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – Island
Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Album
Drake, ICEMAN – OVO/Republic Records
Madonna, Confessions II – Warner Records (WINNER)
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
Best Longform Video
Charli xcx, “Music, Fashion, Film” – Atlantic Records
Ella Langley,”Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
GENER8ION, “STORM” starring Yung Lean – Iconoclast Music
Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records (WINNER)
Best Group
BLACKPINK
BTS (WINNER)
CORTIS
FLO
Fuerza Regida
Geese
KATSEYE
Twenty One Pilots
Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records (WINNER)
JISOO X ZAYN – “Eyes Closed” – Warner Records
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer – “Click Clack Symphony.” – Human Re Sources
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Choreography
GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean” – Iconoclast Music
Harry Styles – “Dance No More” – Columbia Records
KATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen Records
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records (WINNER)
Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Editing
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour” – Island (WINNER)
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 (WINNER)
Shaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Art Direction
Charli xcx – “SS26” – Atlantic Records
Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol Records
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records (WINNER)
SOMBR – “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner Records
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best Direction
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 – “House Tour” – Island
Taylor Swift – “Opalite” – Republic Records (WINNER)
Best Country
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records (WINNER)
Kacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell” – Lost Highway/Interscope Records
Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Broken Bow Records
Luke Combs – “Back in the Saddle” – Columbia Nashville
Shaboozey – “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
Stella Lefty – “Boston” – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost
Tucker Wetmore – “Brunette” – Back Blocks Music/Mercury Records
Best K-pop
BLACKPINK – “JUMP” – YG Entertainment
BTS – “SWIM” – BIGHIT MUSIC (WINNER)
CORTIS – “REDRED” – BIGHIT MUSIC
KATSEYE – “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen Records
LE SSERAFIM (feat. j-hope of BTS) – “SPAGHETTI” – SOURCE MUSIC
LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records
Best Latin
Anitta with Shakira – “Choka Choka” – Republic Records/UMLE
Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas Entertainment (WINNER)
Fuerza Regida – “TU SANCHO” – Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US Latin
KAROL G – “Papasito” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records
Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia – “La Perla” – Columbia Records
Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA – “LA VILLA” – AWOO Corp./ Sony Music US Latin
Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai” – Sony Music US Latin
Best Dance
Bebe Rexha & Faithless – “New Religion” – Bebe Rexha Music LLC/EMPIRE
Harry Styles – “Aperture” – Columbia Records
Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY” – Lil Monsters/Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records/Capitol Records
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records (WINNER)
PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
Slayyyter – “DANCE…” – RECORDS/Columbia Records
ate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
Best Alternative
Geese – “Taxes” – Partisan Records/Play It Again Sam
mgk & Fred Durst – “FIX UR FACE” – EST 19XX LLC/Interscope Records
Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide” – Mercury Records
Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure” – Geffen Records (WINNER)
SOMBR – “Homewrecker” – SMB Music/Warner Records
Tame Impala – “Dracula” – Columbia Records
twenty one pilots – “Drag Path” – Fueled By Ramen
Best R&B
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records (WINNER)
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 Hip-Hop
Cardi B ft. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic Records (WINNER)
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
