MTV VMAs 2026 Drop Best Rock Category After 35 Years

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 will eliminate the Best Rock category, ending a nearly four-decade run that began in 1989. The decision was confirmed by the official nominees list, but MTV and its parent company Paramount have not provided an explanation Source: Milenio, Infobae. The category, which debuted as Best Heavy Metal Video and later became Best Rock Video in 1997, recognized artists like Aerosmith, Metallica, and Linkin Park. Coldplay won the final award in 2025 with "All My Love" Source: Milenio, Infobae.

Nominations lead

Madonna leads the 2026 nominations with 11 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with nine, and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter with seven each Source: Excelsior, La Vanguardia. Madonna's "Confessions II: The Film" and her collaboration with Carpenter, "Bring Your Love," earned her nominations in major categories including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year Source: Infobae, Diario Libre. Swift, who is tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins, could become the most-awarded artist if she wins at least one Source: Excelsior, La Vanguardia.

Category changes

Besides Best Rock, other categories missing from the 2026 list include Best Afrobeats, Best Pop Artist, Push Performance of the Year, Best Album, Video for Good, Best Long-Form Video, Best Group, and Song of Summer, though MTV has not clarified if these are permanent Source: Infobae. The closest alternative to rock is Best Alternative, with nominees like Geese, mgk, and Twenty One Pilots Source: Milenio, Infobae. The ceremony will take place on September 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, airing on CBS and MTV Source: Excelsior, La Vanguardia.