MTV held its 2026 Video Music Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and Madonna led the ceremony with 11 nominations, tying Lady Gaga’s record for the most nods in a single night. The winners were announced across categories, and the full list shows a familiar pattern: four artists dominate the night, while others split the rest.
Snoop Dogg hosted the show, which airs on CBS instead of its usual MTV home. The ceremony featured performances from Madge, Yung Lean, and Gunna, with Kacey Musgraves paying tribute to the late Dolly Parton.
Video of the Year
The top prize went to Ariana Grande for “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” where she plays a ghost haunting a guilty ex-boyfriend played by Justin Long. The category also included Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film,” Taylor Swift’s “Fate of Ophelia,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears,” and Gener8ion’s “Storm” starring Yung Lean.
Artist of the Year
Six artists made the final list: Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift.
Song of the Year
BTS’s “Swim” and Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” were nominated alongside Huntr/x’s “Golden.” Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s collaboration “Bring Your Love” also made the cut, along with Olivia Dean’s “Man I Need,” PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside,” and Raye’s “Where Is My Husband!”
Best New Artist
Eight artists were shortlisted for Best New Artist, presented by The General Insurance®: Bella Kay, Cortis, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro, Stella Lefty.
Best Collaboration
The category was tight, with six entries. Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, and Malice teamed up for “Chains & Whips,” while French Montana and Max B brought out “Ever Since U Left Me.” Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love” was also nominated, alongside PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s “Stateside,” Shakira and Burna Boy’s “Dai Dai,” and Teyana Taylor and Lucky Daye’s “Hard Part.”
The Repeat Artists
Madonna, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and Taylor Swift each appeared multiple times across categories. Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film” is a nominee for Best Long Form Video and Best Album. Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me” is a nominee for Video of the Year and Best Pop. Bruno Mars’s “I Just Might” is a nominee for Best R&B. Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” is a nominee for Best Pop, Best Editing, and Best Visual Effects.
The list runs long and mostly repeats itself, which makes for a cheerful sort of chaos. Madonna’s record tie with Lady Gaga is the story here, and the dominance of four artists across so many categories is the shape of the night.
“Tears”; “Fate of Ophelia”; “Hate That I Made You Love Me”; “Bring Your Love”
The full list of winners is available online, and the ceremony continues. The tribute to Dolly Parton from Kacey Musgraves is one performance worth catching live.
The Video Music Awards are now broadcast on CBS, which is a notable shift for the show. Madonna’s record tie with Lady Gaga is the headline, and the ceremony’s host, Snoop Dogg, has been a fixture of the show’s stage for years.
Key Facts
- Madonna leads the ceremony with 11 nominations, tying Lady Gaga’s record
- MTV VMAs 2026 are hosted at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles
- Snoop Dogg is the evening’s host
- Kacey Musgraves performs a tribute to the late Dolly Parton
- The show airs on CBS instead of its usual MTV home
The winners list is a reminder that the Video Music Awards are still about the biggest names in music, even as the format moves to a new network. Madonna’s 11 nominations are the story, and her tie with Lady Gaga stands as a mark of longevity in a field that changes quickly.
Source material: “MTV VMAs 2026 Winners: See the Full List Here,” Pitchfork.
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