Madonna leads MTV VMAs 2026 nominations – check out the full list

Madonna Confessions II Review [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Madonna-Credit-Rafael-Pavarotti.jpg]

The nominations for the MTV VMAs 2026 have been announced, with Madonna leading the way. See the full list below.

This year’s ceremony is due to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday September 27. It’ll be broadcast live, airing simultaneously on CBS, MTV and Paramount+.

* Read More: Madonna – ‘Confessions II’ review: Queen Of Pop digs deep on thrilling return to the dancefloor

The Queen Of Pop has earned 11 nods, including Video Of The Year for the star-studded Confessions II – The Film – which accompanied her acclaimed latest studio album.

Madonna is also in the running for Artist Of The Year, as well as Song Of The Year for her ‘Confessions II’ single ‘Bring Your Love’ with Sabrina Carpenter. The joint track is up for Best Collaboration, too.

Confessions II – The Film completes the star’s nominations by featuring in the following categories: Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

Taylor Swift follows with nine appearances, including Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year for ‘The Fate Of Ophelia’. The single is nominated for numerous other awards, while the video for ‘Opalite’ is vying for Best Direction.

Other acts in the running for Artist Of The Year include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Sabrina Carpenter. The Song Of The Year category also features BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me (‘Swim’), Olivia Dean (‘Man I Need’), Raye (‘Where Is My Husband!)’ and more.

Elsewhere, Harry Styles has secured a nomination in the Best Dance list for his single ‘Aperture’. Charli XCX is up for two prizes – Best Pop and Best Art Direction – with ‘SS26’.

The Best Alternative category includes Geese, Tame Impala, Olivia Rodrigo, Sombr, Noah Kahan and more.

Should Swift take home just one prize, she will become the most-awarded artist at the VMAs ever. She currently ties with Beyoncé for having the most wins at the MTV VMAs, with each having 30 to their name.

Fan voting for the 2026 ceremony is open now here. Check out the nominations list in full here:

Video Of The Year
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
Sabrina Carpenter – Tears
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Artist Of The Year

Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
Madonna
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift

Song Of The Year
BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me – Swim
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
Huntr/x HUNTR/X K-POP GROUP HUNTR/X is a fictional K-pop girl group featured in Netflix’s animated film “KPop Demon Hunters”. – Golden
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Raye – Where Is My Husband!

Taylor Swift [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026_taylorswift_press_2000x1270.jpg]Taylor Swift. CREDIT: Press

Best New Artist
Bella Kay
Cortis
Magnus Ferrell
Malcolm Todd
Myles Smith
Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty

Best Collaboration
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice – Chains & Whips
French Montana & Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – Hard Part

Best Pop
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Charli xcx – SS26
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
Olivia Rodrigo – Drop Dead
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Ariana Grande, 2025. CREDIT: Katia Temkin [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ariana-grande@2000x1270.jpg]Ariana Grande, 2025. CREDIT: Katia Temkin

Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B & Kehlani – Safe
Don Toliver – E85
Drake – Janice STFU
Megan Thee Stallion – Lover Girl
Travis Scott – Dumbo
Tyler, the Creator – Sugar on My Tongue

Best R&B
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious
Dave & Tems – Raindance
Justin Bieber – Yukon
Kehlani – Folded
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime

Best Alternative
Geese – Taxes
MGK & Fred Durst – Fix Ur Face
Noah Kahan – The Great Divide
Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure
Sombr – Homewrecker
Tame Impala – Dracula
Twenty One Pilots – Drag Path

geese getting killed album review [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Geese-getting-killed-review-credit-Mark-Sommerfield.jpeg]Geese. CREDIT: Mark Sommerfield

Best Dance
Bebe Rexha & Faithless – New Religion
Harry Styles – Aperture
Lady Gaga & Doechii – Runway
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Slayyyter – Dance…
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl

Best Latin
Anitta & Shakira – Choka Choka
Bad Bunny – Nuevayol
Fuerza Regida – Tu Sancho
Karol G – Papasito
Rosalía & Yahritza y Su Esencia – La Perla
Ryan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta – La Villa
Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai

Best K-Pop
Blackpink BLACKPINK K-POP GROUP BLACKPINK is one of the most influential K-pop girl groups in the world, known for their powerful performances, global chart success, and distinctive blend of pop, hip-hop, EDM, and rap. Formed by YG Entertainment, the g – Jump
BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me – Swim
Cortis – RedRed
Katseye KATSEYE K-POP GROUP KATSEYE is a global girl group formed through HYBE x Geffen's "The Debut: Dream Academy" project. The group debuted in 2024 and is known for a modern pop sound, sharp performance style, and multilingual global-member lin – Pinky Up
Le Sserafim LE SSERAFIM K-POP GROUP LE SSERAFIM is a five-member girl group known for confident, performance-driven concepts and strong stage presence. & J-Hope of BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me – Spaghetti
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream

bts BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me arirang review [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/arirang-bts BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me -review-big-hit-music.jpg]BTS BTS K-POP GROUP BTS (방탄소년단) is a South Korean K-pop group formed by BigHit Music and debuted on June 13, 2013. The group consists of seven members: RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook. Known for their powerful performances, me . CREDIT: Big Hit Music

Best Country
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
Lainey Wilson – Somewhere Over Laredo
Luke Combs – Back in the Saddle
Shaboozey – Cowgirl
Stella Lefty – Boston
Tucker Wetmore – Brunette

Best Direction
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Taylor Swift – Opalite

Best Art Direction
Charli xcx – SS26
Lady Gaga & Doechii – Runway
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Sombr – My Body Isn’t Ready
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia

[https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bruno-mars-press-2@2000x1270.jpg]Bruno Mars. CREDIT: Press

Best Cinematography
A$AP Rocky – Punk Rocky
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
Shaboozey – Cowgirl
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Best Editing
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Best Choreography
Gener8ion – Storm starring Yung Lean
Harry Styles – Dance No More
Katseye KATSEYE K-POP GROUP KATSEYE is a global girl group formed through HYBE x Geffen's "The Debut: Dream Academy" project. The group debuted in 2024 and is known for a modern pop sound, sharp performance style, and multilingual global-member lin – Pinky Up
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Jisoo & Zayn – Eyes Closed
Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Raye & Hans Zimmer – Click Clack Symphony
Taylor Swift – The Fate Of Ophelia

RAYE live at Glastonbury 2025, photo by Andy Ford [https://www.nme.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/NMEAR_NME-GLASTO-2025-RAYE-LIVE-ANDY-FORD-8@2000x1270.jpg]RAYE live at Glastonbury 2025. Credit: Andy Ford for NME

Meanwhile, an immersive exhibition celebrating Madonna’s 68th birthday recently opened in London. In other news, Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis has responded to speculation that the star will headline the Pyramid Stage next year.

The singer teamed up with Kylie Minogue earlier this month on ‘Love Sensation (Afterhours Mix)’. She has since paid tribute to her late former producer William Orbit, saying that “in many ways you were my ray of light”.

In a four-star review of ‘Confessions II’, NME wrote: “By drawing from her past, both personally and musically, Madonna has made her most vital album in over two decades. This grande dame still knows how to make us move.”

The post Madonna leads MTV VMAs 2026 nominations – check out the full list appeared first on NME.