Madonna has secured 11 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), leading this year's contenders. Her nominations span major categories such as Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year, as well as several technical categories including Best Collaboration, Dance, Direction, Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Choreography, and Visual Effects. (apnews.com)
Taylor Swift follows closely with nine nominations. A single win for Swift would make her the most-awarded artist in VMA history, surpassing her current tie with Beyoncé at 30 awards each. (apnews.com)
Other notable nominees include Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, each with seven nominations, and Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson, each receiving five nods. (apnews.com)
The 2026 VMAs are scheduled to air live on CBS on September 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET and will also be available for streaming on Paramount+. This year's ceremony features 26 first-time nominees, highlighting a diverse range of emerging talent. Fan voting is open through September 25, allowing audiences to participate in selecting the winners. (apnews.com)