Madonna and Taylor Swift are the top nominees at this year’s Video Music Awards, with the former snagging 11 and the latter with nine.That includes nods for Video of the Year—Madge for Confessions II - The Film, Tay for Life of a Showgirl’s “The Fate of Ophelia”—alongside Bruno Mars (“I Just Might”), Gener8ion and Yung Lean (“Storm”), Ariana Grande (“Hate That I Made You Love Me”) and Sabrina Carpenter (“Tears”).
Other notable nods include PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson (each with five total, including their Song of the Year remix collab “Stateside”) and Geese (one total, for “Taxes” in Best Alternative).Per Billboard, several categories from previous years were not part of this year’s VMAs announcement: Best Rock, Best Afrobeats, Best Pop Artist, Push Performance of the Year, Best Album, Video for Good, Best Long-form Video, Best Group, and Song of the Summer.The 2026 ceremony will broadcast live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept.27 and will once again air on CBS (with a simulcast on Paramount+ and on its original home of MTV).
The host and this year’s Video Vanguard honoree have yet to be announced.Video of the YearAriana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love MeBruno Mars - I Just MightGener8ion - Storm starring Yung LeanMadonna - Confessions II - The FilmSabrina Carpenter - TearsTaylor Swift - The Fate of OpheliaArtist of the YearAriana GrandeBruno MarsMadonnaMorgan WallenSabrina CarpenterTaylor SwiftSong of the YearBTS - SwimElla Langley - Choosin’ TexasHuntr/x - GoldenMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your LoveOlivia Dean - Man I NeedPinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - StatesideRaye - Where Is My Husband!Best New Artist, presented by The General InsuranceBella KayCortisMagnus FerrellMalcolm ToddMyles SmithSienna SpiroStella LeftyBest CollaborationClipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice - Chains & WhipsFrench Montana & Max B - Ever Since U Left MeMadonna & Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your LovePinkPant...