Madonna leads 2026 MTV VMAs with 11 nominations

Madonna leads the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations with 11 nods, the most of any artist, followed by Taylor Swift with nine Source: AP News. The announcement was made Tuesday, Aug. 18, and the ceremony will air live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sept. 27 Source: Los Angeles Times. Madonna's nominations include video, artist, and song of the year, as well as best collaboration, dance, and several craft categories Source: AP News. If she wins all 11, she would tie Beyoncé and Taylor Swift for the most VMAs ever, with 30 each Source: AP News. Swift, with nine nominations, could become the most-awarded artist in VMA history with a single win Source: AP News. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received seven nominations, while Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson each got five Source: Milenio. The best dance category returns after a seven-year hiatus, with nominees including Madonna, Harry Styles, and Lady Gaga & Doechii Source: Los Angeles Times. Notably, the rock and afrobeats categories, presented last year, are absent this year Source: Los Angeles Times. Fan voting is open online across 13 categories until Sept. 25, with best new artist voting continuing during the show Source: AP News. The show will also simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ Source: AP News.