Taylor Swift Makes History at 2026 MTV Video Music Awards
The 2026 MTV VMAs air Sunday from Los Angeles, with Taylor Swift set to become the most decorated artist in the show's history. Madonna leads all nominees with 11 nods and opens the ceremony for the first time since 2003.
- 31 total VMAs: Swift's new Artist Director Honors breaks her tie with Beyoncé.
- 11 nominations place Madonna ahead of Swift's nine this year.
- 7 nominations each for Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter; 5 for Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson.
- Snoop Dogg hosts; the Los Angeles venue is the first non-New York-area site since 2017.
Why it matters: Swift's Artist Director Honors is a new award recognizing visual storytelling behind the camera. The VMAs describe it as honoring artists whose direction has expanded music video as an art form.
- Dolly Parton, who died in Nashville of cancer in August at 80, and George Michael, who died 10 years ago, each receive dedicated tributes.
How 19 sources split on this story
Center coverage, 8 sources: The center focuses on the full nominees list and awards structure, treating Swift and Madonna as co-equal storylines within a broader industry event.
USA Today2hMadonna opens MTV VMAs with provocative performance and celebrity cameos
Forbes1hMadonna's 2026 VMA Performance Reflects Her Strong Legacy In Pop Music
Billboard29mMadonna Jokingly Calls Out Sabrina Carpenter for Taking ‘5 Days’ to Respond in Best Collab Speech at 2026 VMAsCNCTV News1hMadonna opens starry 2026 MTV VMAs, LISA wins first award: What to know about the show
TMZ2hMadonna Kicks Off MTV VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx
Associated Press22hThe MTV VMAs are here with Taylor Swift making history and Madonna leading the nods: How to watch
Reuters21mMadonna, Sabrina Carpenter and Lisa win at MTV's Video Music AwardsWNCWFLA News Channel 88hThe MTV VMAs are here with Taylor Swift making history and Madonna leading the nods: How to watchLeft coverage, 8 sources: The left leads with Swift's record-breaking history and frames the night as a celebration of female artists' dominance across decades.
The Independent11hWhat time are the VMAs tonight? And how to watch as Taylor Swift premieres Patient ZeroTBGThe Boston Globe21hMTV VMAs here with Taylor Swift, Madonna: How to watch
CBS News33mMadonna kicks off the 2026 MTV VMAs, Kacey Musgraves pays tribute to Dolly Parton
Rolling Stone1hMadonna, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX Team Up for Star-Studded MTV VMAs OpenerBosBoston.com14hThe MTV VMAs are here with Taylor Swift making history. How to watch.
Hollywood Reporter1hMadonna Opens 2026 VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX
Variety2hMadonna Taps Sabrina Carpenter and Charli xcx for MTV VMAs PerformanceVicVice1hMadonna Opened the 2026 MTV VMAs With a Sultry Performance Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and MoreRight coverage, 3 sources: The right highlights Madonna's return and her past controversy at the VMAs alongside Swift's milestone, emphasizing celebrity spectacle.
What’s next: Swift will debut the music video for 'Patient Zero,' which she directed and which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
- Winners across categories including video, artist, and song of the year will be announced during the live broadcast.
- How many of her 11 nominations will Madonna convert to wins on the night?
- Will Swift's new single 'Patient Zero' factor into future award cycles beyond the VMAs?