2026 MTV Video Music Awards: Winners, How to Watch & Performances
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year, Madonna led the night with seven awards, and Ella Langley took home Best Country at the September 27 ceremony.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: August 18, 2026
Last Updated: September 28, 2026
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Snoop Dogg serving as host. Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” while Madonna was named Artist of the Year and led the ceremony with seven wins.
Country music also had a winning moment during the show, with Ella Langley taking home Best Country for “Choosin’ Texas.” Kacey Musgraves performed a special tribute to Dolly Parton, and Shaboozey made his VMA performance debut.
The 2026 VMAs are now available to watch on demand. Below, find the complete winners, how to watch the show, performances, special honors, and other details from the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
2026 MTV VMAs Quick Details
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location: Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles
Host: Snoop Dogg
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift — “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Best Country: Ella Langley — “Choosin’ Texas”
Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
Where to Watch: Paramount+ on demand
2026 MTV VMA Winners at a Glance
Video of the Year: Taylor Swift — “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year: Madonna
Song of the Year: BTS — “Swim”
Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter — “Bring Your Love”
Best Pop: LISA — “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Best Country: Ella Langley — “Choosin’ Texas”
Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
MTV VMA Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
Where to Watch the 2026 MTV VMAs Now
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards aired live Sunday, September 27, on CBS and MTV. The ceremony is now available to stream on demand through Paramount+.
The full awards show includes Snoop Dogg as host, Madonna’s opening performance, Kacey Musgraves’ tribute to Dolly Parton, the George Michael tribute, Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” music video premiere, and the presentation of several of the night’s major awards.
What Time Did the 2026 MTV VMAs Start?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 27.
The ceremony aired on CBS and MTV, with streaming available through Paramount+ in the United States.
How to Stream the 2026 MTV VMAs
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are available on demand following the September 27 ceremony.
Paramount+ Premium subscribers had access to the live CBS feed during the show, while on-demand viewing was made available following the broadcast.
Who Hosted the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Snoop Dogg hosted the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The rapper also served as an executive producer for the ceremony.
Snoop Dogg entered the show as a 13-time VMA nominee and three-time winner, with a history at the awards dating back more than three decades.
Who Presented at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The announced presenters for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards included Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Brandon Sklenar, Charli xcx, Chuck D, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Emma Bunton, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Orville Peck, Paris Hilton, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Troye Sivan, and Tyla.
2026 MTV VMA Performers
Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first live VMA performance in 23 years. She last performed at the awards in 2003.
The performance lineup also included GENER8ION, Gunna, Kacey Musgraves, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Sienna Spiro, SOMBR, Teddy Swims, and Yung Lean.
Kacey Musgraves Honors Dolly Parton
Kacey Musgraves returned to the MTV VMA stage for the first time in five years as part of a special tribute to Dolly Parton.
Musgraves entered the ceremony as a Best Country nominee for “Dry Spell.” The performance also gave country music a prominent place during the 2026 VMA broadcast.
George Michael Tribute
The 2026 VMAs also honored George Michael with a special tribute performance featuring RAYE, SOMBR, and Teddy Swims.
Additional 2026 VMA Performances
GENER8ION and Yung Lean made their VMA performance debuts with “STORM II.”
LISA returned to the VMA stage with the television debut of “SaWaDiKa.”
RAYE made her first VMA performance appearance in addition to participating in the George Michael tribute.
Shaboozey made his VMA performance debut with “Cowgirl” and was joined by Gunna for their collaboration “High Noon.”
Sienna Spiro also made her VMA performance debut during a night that ended with her winning Best New Artist.
Taylor Swift Premieres “Patient Zero” Music Video at the 2026 VMAs
Taylor Swift premiered the official music video for “Patient Zero” during the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
The song appears on The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore. Swift directed the video, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson, with Academy Award-winning cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki serving as cinematographer.
Swift also received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors during the ceremony.
Nirvana Receives the 2026 VMA Video Vanguard Award
Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
MTV announced the honor on September 9, exactly 34 years after Nirvana made its first appearance on the VMA stage on September 9, 1992. The Video Vanguard Award recognizes artists for their impact on music videos and visual culture.
Taylor Swift Receives Inaugural Artist Director Honors
Taylor Swift became the first recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.
The new award recognizes music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and visual storytelling.
Swift has previously won the VMA for Best Direction four times and added another Best Direction win in 2026 for “Opalite.”
2026 MTV VMA Winners & Nominees
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards featured nominees across pop, country, hip-hop, R&B, alternative, Latin, K-pop, dance, and technical categories. Winners are marked below.
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”
WINNER: Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
WINNER: Madonna
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
WINNER: BTS - “Swim”
Ella Langley - “Choosin’ Texas”
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI - “Golden”
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - “Bring Your Love”
Olivia Dean - “Man I Need”
PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
RAYE - “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
Best New Artist, presented by The General Insurance
Bella Kay
CORTIS
Magnus Ferrell
Malcolm Todd
Myles Smith
WINNER: Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice - “Chains & Whips”
French Montana x Max B - “Ever Since U Left Me”
WINNER: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter - “Bring Your Love”
PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye - “Hard Part”
Best Pop
Ariana Grande - “hate that i made you love me”
Charli xcx - “SS26”
WINNER: LISA - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Olivia Rodrigo - “drop dead”
Sabrina Carpenter - “House Tour”
Tate McRae - “Nobody’s Girl”
Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Hip-Hop
WINNER: Cardi B ft. 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
WINNER: 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”
WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo - “the cure”
SOMBR - “Homewrecker”
Tame Impala - “Dracula”
twenty one pilots - “Drag Path”
Best Dance presented by BACARDÍ Rum
Bebe Rexha & Faithless - “New Religion”
Harry Styles - “Aperture”
Lady Gaga & Doechii - “RUNWAY”
WINNER: Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
Slayyyter - “DANCE…”
Tate McRae - “Nobody’s Girl”
Best Latin
Anitta with Shakira - “Choka Choka”
WINNER: Bad Bunny - “NUEVAYoL”
Fuerza Regida - “TU SANCHO”
KAROL G - “Papasito”
Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia - “La Perla”
Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA - “LA VILLA”
Shakira & Burna Boy - “Dai Dai
Best K-Pop
BLACKPINK - “JUMP”
WINNER: BTS - “SWIM”
CORTIS - “REDRED”
KATSEYE - “PINKY UP”
LE SSERAFIM (feat. j-hope of BTS) - “SPAGHETTI”
LISA - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Best Country
WINNER: 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”
WINNER: Taylor Swift - “Opalite”
Best Art Direction
Charli xcx - “SS26”
Lady Gaga & Doechii - “RUNWAY”
Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
WINNER: PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
SOMBR - “My Body Isn’t Ready”
Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Cinematography
A$AP Rocky - “PUNK ROCKY”
Ariana Grande - “hate that i made you love me”
LISA - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
WINNER: 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 - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter - “House Tour”
Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Choreography
GENER8ION - “STORM starring Yung Lean”
Harry Styles - “Dance No More”
KATSEYE - “PINKY UP”
WINNER: Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
Tate McRae - “Nobody’s Girl”
Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Visual Effects
WINNER: Ariana Grande - “hate that i made you love me”
JISOO X ZAYN - “Eyes Closed”
Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer - “Click Clack Symphony.”
Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
Additional 2026 MTV VMA Winners
Four additional awards were decided in social categories.
Best Group: BTS
Best Long Form Video: Madonna — “Confessions II - The Film”
Best Album: Madonna — Confessions II
Song of Summer: Ariana Grande — “hate that i made you love me”
Where Were the 2026 MTV VMAs Held?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, September 27.
The ceremony marked the VMAs’ return to Los Angeles for the first time since 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Who won Video of the Year at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Who won Artist of the Year at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Madonna won Artist of the Year. She led the ceremony with seven wins overall.
Who won Best Country at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Ella Langley won Best Country for “Choosin’ Texas.” She was nominated alongside Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Shaboozey, Stella Lefty, and Tucker Wetmore.
Who won Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Sienna Spiro won Best New Artist.
How can I watch the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The September 27 ceremony is available to watch on demand following its original broadcast on CBS and MTV. Streaming is also available through Paramount+.
Who hosted the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards?
Snoop Dogg hosted the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards and also served as an executive producer for the ceremony.
Who received the Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 VMAs?
Nirvana received the 2026 MTV VMA Video Vanguard Award.
Who received the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors?
Taylor Swift became the first recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors in 2026.
Listen to Across The Country With Amanda, a weekly syndicated radio program featuring the legends you love, and the best in today’s country! Hear exclusive interviews and get the latest country music news.