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Madonna is making her return to the MTV Music Video Awards stage this weekend.
The "Confessions II" singer, who is the most-nominated artist of the night, will open the 2026 VMAs with what will be her first live performance at the show in 23 years, CBS and MTV announced.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the 2026 VMAs will air live this Sunday, Sept. 27.
Are you ready for a night of celebrating this year's biggest artists, songs, and music videos? Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 VMAs, including the nominees and how to watch.
When is the MTV Video Music Awards? How to watch
The 2026 MTV VMAs will air live this Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and stream on MTV and Paramount+ Premium.
2026 VMA nominations
Here is who is nominated for the 2026 MTV VMAs:
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
Artist of the year
- Ariana Grande – Republic Records
- Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
- Madonna – Warner Records
- Morgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury Records
- Sabrina Carpenter – Island
- Taylor Swift – Republic Records
Song of the year
- BTS, “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- 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
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
- 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
- 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
Best pop
- Ariana Grande, “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- Charli xcx, “SS26” – Atlantic Records
- LISA, “Dream featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./RCA Records
- 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 hip-hop
- Cardi B featuring Kehlani, “Safe” – Atlantic Records
- 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
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars, “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
- 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 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
- SOMBR, “Homewrecker” – SMB Music/Warner Records
- Tame Impala, “Dracula” – Columbia Records
- twenty one pilots, “Drag Path” – Fueled By Ramen
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
- PinkPantheress, “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- Slayyyter, “DANCE…” – RECORDS/Columbia Records
- Tate McRae, “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
Best Latin
- Anitta with Shakira, “Choka Choka” – Republic Records/UMLE
- Bad Bunny, “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas Entertainment
- Fuerza Regida, “TU SANCHO” – Rancho Humilde/Street Mob Records/Sony Music US Latin
- KAROL G, “Papasito” – Bichota Records/Interscope Records
- Rosalía featuring 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 K-pop
- BLACKPINK, “JUMP” – YG Entertainment
- BTS, “SWIM” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- CORTIS, “REDRED” – BIGHIT MUSIC
- KATSEYE, “PINKY UP” – HYBE x Geffen Records
- LE SSERAFIM (featuring j-hope of BTS), “SPAGHETTI” – SOURCE MUSIC
- LISA, “Dream featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records
Best country
- Ella Langley, “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
- 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 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
Best art direction
- Charli xcx, “SS26” – Atlantic Records
- Lady Gaga & Doechii, “RUNAWAY” – 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
- SOMBR, “My Body Isn’t Ready” – SMB Music/Warner Records
- 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 featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records
- Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Shaboozey, “Cowgirl” – American Dogwood/EMPIRE
- 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 featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi” – Lloud Co./ RCA Records
- Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- Sabrina Carpenter, “House Tour” – Island
- 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
- Tate McRae, “Nobody’s Girl” – RCA Records
- Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Best visual effects
- Ariana Grande, “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
- JISOO X ZAYN, “Eyes Closed” – Warner Records
- Madonna, “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
- PinkPantheress, “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
- RAYE featuring Hans Zimmer, “Click Clack Symphony.” – Human Re Sources
- Taylor Swift, “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Contributing: USA Today Network
—Madison Scott is a New
York Connect reporter, covering entertainment, breaking and consumer news, and trending topics with a focus on stories that matter to readers across New York state. She also has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't helpfamilies with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@USATodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Madonna returns to VMAs stage after 23 years: How to watch, nominees, performers
