MTV VMAs 2026: The winners list

Madonna was undoubtedly the queen of the evening at the MTV Video Music Awards 2026, dominating the ceremony held Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

The music icon, who was nominated in 13 categories, left the ceremony with seven awards, including the trophy for “Artist of the Year,” “Best Collaboration” together with Sabrina Carpenter, as well as the awards for best dance song, cinematography, choreography, best album and best long-form video.

Madonna triumphed with the “Confessions II” project, confirming once again her status as one of the most important figures in MTV VMA history.

Taylor Swift also had a successful evening. Nominated in 11 categories, Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” as well as the best director award for “Opalite.”

She also received the new “Artist Director Honors” award, bringing her career VMA trophy total to 32. With that figure, Swift became the most awarded artist in the ceremony’s history.

BTS was another of the evening’s big names. The South Korean group won “Song of the Year” with “Swim,” as well as the trophy for “Best K-pop.” Meanwhile, Sienna Spiro was named best new artist, while LISA won in the “Best Pop” category with “Dream,” in collaboration with Kentaro Sakaguchi.

Main winners of MTV VMAs 2026

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 feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi – “Dream”

Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe”

Best R&B
Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”

Best Alternative
Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure”

Best Dance
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Latin
Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”

Best K-pop
BTS – “Swim”

Best Country
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”

Best Direction
Taylor Swift – “Opalite”

Best Art Direction
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside”

Best Cinematography
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Editing
Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”

Best Choreography
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”

Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”

Best Album
Madonna – “Confessions II”

Best Group
BTS

Best Long-Form Video
Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”

Song of Summer
Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”

Madonna’s return to the VMA stage after 23 years

One of the most commented moments of the evening was Madonna’s return to the MTV VMA stage after 23 years.

She opened the ceremony with a joint performance with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, in a spectacle that drew attention from the event’s very first minutes.

The ceremony, hosted by Snoop Dogg, also included tributes to two late music icons, Dolly Parton and George Michael.

Another important moment was Nirvana being honored with the Video Vanguard Award, while Taylor Swift also premiered the new music video for the song “Patient Zero,” featuring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, in an evening filled with the world’s biggest music stars.