The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 have revealed the nominations for the upcoming ceremony, with global superstar Madonna leading the field with 11 nominations.

Taylor Swift follows closely behind with nine nominations, while several of the biggest names in music are also competing across major categories.

The 2026 ceremony is set to bring together leading international artists in Los Angeles.

Madonna Leads the 2026 VMAs Nominations

Madonna received 11 nominations, making her the most nominated artist in this year's VMAs.

She is competing for major honors, including Video of the Year for “Confessions II - The Film”, as well as the Artist of the Year award.

Madonna also continues her impressive history at the VMAs, having collected 20 wins throughout her career at the awards.

Taylor Swift Receives Nine Nominations

Taylor Swift ranks second with nine nominations.

She is nominated for Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and is also in contention for Artist of the Year.

Swift could achieve another historic milestone at this year's ceremony, as she is currently tied with Beyoncé for the record of most VMAs wins, with 30 awards each.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter Earn Seven Nominations

The nominations also feature several of the biggest names in contemporary music.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received seven nominations, putting both artists among the leading contenders this year.

Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson each earned five nominations.

LISA and Shakira Among the Nominees

LISA, a member of BLACKPINK, received four nominations.

Meanwhile, Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION, and Yung Lean each received three nominations.

The list highlights a broad mix of established global superstars and emerging artists.

Strong Competition for Artist of the Year

The Artist of the Year category features several major music stars, including:

• Madonna
• Taylor Swift
• Ariana Grande
• Bruno Mars
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Morgan Wallen

The category is expected to be among the most closely watched competitions of the ceremony.

26 First-Time Nominees at the VMAs

The 2026 edition will feature 26 artists receiving their first-ever VMAs nominations.

Among the first-time nominees are Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Stella Lefty, and Tucker Wetmore.

Their inclusion highlights the growing presence of a new generation of artists on one of the world's most prominent music award platforms.

When Are the 2026 VMAs?

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 are scheduled to take place on September 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Music fans will be watching closely to see which artists take home the major awards, particularly Madonna, Taylor Swift and the other leading nominees.

Who leads the 2026 VMAs nominations?

Madonna leads the nominations with 11 nods.

How many nominations did Taylor Swift receive?

Taylor Swift received nine nominations.

How many nominations did Ariana Grande receive?

Ariana Grande received seven nominations.

When will the 2026 VMAs take place?

The ceremony is scheduled for September 27, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Who is nominated for Artist of the Year?

The nominees include Madonna, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter and Morgan Wallen.