2026 MTV Video Music Awards: Nominees and How To Watch
Voting is now open ahead of the September 27 ceremony, airing live on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: August 18, 2026
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will bring together some of music’s biggest artists on Sunday, September 27. Madonna and Taylor Swift lead this year’s nominations as performers compete across categories including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Below, find the complete list of nominees, voting information, and details on how to watch the 2026 VMAs live.
How To Watch the MTV Music Awards
The 2026 VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV. Viewers in the U.S. can also stream the show on Paramount+, with international availability beginning the following day.
Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch live through their local CBS station and stream the show on demand afterward. Essential subscribers will be able to watch on demand the day after the ceremony.
2026 VMA Nominees
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards recognize the artists and videos that have shaped music and generated global attention over the past year. Fans can vote for their favorites in eligible categories at vote.mtv.com, with voting deadlines varying by award. The complete list of 2026 VMA nominees is 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”
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 - “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
Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice - “Chains & Whips”
French Montana x Max B - “Ever Since U Left Me”
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”
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
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
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”
Best Dance presented by BACARDÍ Rum
Bebe Rexha & Faithless - “New Religion”
Harry Styles - “Aperture”
Lady Gaga & Doechii - “RUNWAY”
Madonna - “Confessions II - The Film”
PinkPantheress - “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
Slayyyter - “DANCE…”
Tate McRae - “Nobody’s Girl”
Best Latin
Anitta with Shakira - “Choka Choka”
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”
BTS - “SWIM”
CORTIS - “REDRED”
KATSEYE - “PINKY UP”
LE SSERAFIM (feat. j-hope of BTS) - “SPAGHETTI”
LISA - “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
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 - “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”
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”
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”
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 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”
Winners will be revealed when the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air live from Los Angeles on September 27. Additional details surrounding the ceremony may be announced as the show approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air Sunday, September 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
How can I watch the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The ceremony will air live on CBS and MTV. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can stream the show live through their local CBS affiliate feed, while Paramount+ Essential subscribers can watch it on demand beginning the following day.
Where are the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards being held?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will broadcast live from Los Angeles.
Who leads the 2026 MTV VMA nominations?
Madonna and Taylor Swift lead the nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Are country artists nominated at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Yes. Country artists are represented in the Best Country category, with some also receiving recognition in additional categories.
How can fans vote for the 2026 MTV VMA nominees?
Fans can vote for their favorite nominees through the official MTV VMAs voting website. Voting availability and closing dates may vary by category.
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.