The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards played out like a two-act blockbuster, with Madonna owning the night and Taylor Swift closing it out.
Madonna, the leading nominee with 13 nods, walked away with seven trophies, including Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love.” The pair opened the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking Madonna’s first live VMA performance in 23 years. She later quipped that Carpenter took five days to respond when she first reached out about working together.
Swift took the final award of the night, Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” and dedicated it to “the ultimate showgirl,” the late Dolly Parton. Earlier, Dakota Johnson presented her with the inaugural Artist Director Honors before Swift premiered her self-directed “Patient Zero” video, which stars Johnson. She also won Best Direction for “Opalite,” extending her record as the most awarded artist in VMA history.
Lisa grabbed the evening’s first trophy, Best Pop for “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. BTS swept all three of its categories without attending, winning Song of the Year and Best K-Pop for “Swim” plus Best Group. “‘ARIRANG’ feels like a new beginning for us,” the group said in a statement.
Elsewhere, Sienna Spiro won Best New Artist, Cardi B and Kehlani took Best Hip-Hop for “Safe,” Bruno Mars won Best R&B for “I Just Might,” Bad Bunny claimed Best Latin for “NUEVAYoL,” Ella Langley won Best Country for “Choosin’ Texas” and Ariana Grande earned Song of Summer for “hate that i made you love me.” Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, with Snoop Dogg hosting the night.
