Madonna sweeps 2026 VMAs as Swift sets wins record
Madonna took seven awards including Artist of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27. The ceremony was hosted by Snoop Dogg. It aired on CBS and Paramount+ in its first year on a new network, according to Rolling Stone.
Madonna entered the night as the most-nominated artist with 13 nominations, CBS News reported. Taylor Swift followed with 11 nominations. In Artist of the Year, Madonna won ahead of nominees including Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars. She also won Best Dance Video for "Confessions II -- The Film," Reuters reported. Swift's "Opalite" video was nominated for Best Direction.
Madonna opened the show. She had not performed at the VMAs in 23 years. She sang "Danceteria" with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. The slot recalled her appearance at the first VMAs in 1984, when she performed "Like a Virgin" in a white bridal gown.
Swift used the broadcast to premiere the "Patient Zero" video. She also became the most-awarded artist in MTV VMAs history, the Associated Press reported. She dedicated her top prize to Dolly Parton.
Nirvana received the Video Vanguard tribute, the honour MTV gives for long-term achievement in music video. Chuck D presented the tribute. He had presented the same award to the Beastie Boys in 1998. The band played no music.
Bassist Krist Novoselic gave a speech about Kurt Cobain. Guitarist Pat Smear smoked a cigarette onstage. The moment was brief and spoken, not a reunion performance.
What makes this stand out is the range of generations in one broadcast. A star from the first VMAs opened the night with two current pop singers. A 1990s guitar band was honoured without playing a note. A present-day record for most VMAs wins changed hands. Rolling Stone called its review of the night "The VMAs: The One Night When MTV Pretends to be MTV."
