2026 VMAs nominations: Madonna leads with 11, Taylor Swift follows with 9; BTS makes the cut

Madonna, Taylor Swift and BTS. Pics via AFP and Instagram

The nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are here, and Madonna has emerged as the most-nominated artist of the year with 11 nods. Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter have seven each. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have five nominations apiece, while BLACKPINK's Lisa has four.

BTS have also secured two nominations for their comeback song SWIM, with the track competing for Song of the Year and Best K-Pop. Shakira and Tate McRae each have three nominations, adding to an already packed line-up featuring major names across pop, hip-hop, RandB, Latin, country and K-pop.

Madonna's nominations span both major and technical categories for Confessions II - The Film. Swift is also competing for major honours, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. The 2026 edition will additionally mark the return of the Best Dance category after seven years.

Here's the list of major MTV VMAs 2026

Video of the Year

Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me
Bruno Mars - I Just Might
GENER8ION - STORM starring Yung Lean
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Sabrina Carpenter - Tears
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Artist of the Year

Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
Madonna
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift

Song of the Year

BTS - SWIM
Ella Langley - Choosin' Texas
HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI - Golden
Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter - Bring Your Love
Olivia Dean - Man I Need
PinkPantheress - Stateside and Zara Larsson
RAYE - WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!

Best Pop

Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me
Charli xcx - SS26
LISA - Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead
Sabrina Carpenter - House Tour
Tate McRae - Nobody's Girl
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Dance

Bebe Rexha and Faithless - New Religion
Harry Styles - Aperture
Lady Gaga and Doechii - RUNWAY
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
PinkPantheress - Stateside and Zara Larsson
Slayyyter - DANCE
Tate McRae - Nobody's Girl

Best K-Pop

BLACKPINK - JUMP
BTS - SWIM
CORTIS - REDRED
KATSEYE - PINKY UP
LE SSERAFIM feat. j-hope of BTS - SPAGHETTI
LISA - Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi

Best Direction

Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me
Bruno Mars - I Just Might
GENER8ION - STORM starring Yung Lean
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Sabrina Carpenter - House Tour
Taylor Swift - Opalite

Best Editing

Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me
Bruno Mars - I Just Might
LISA - Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Sabrina Carpenter - House Tour
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Choreography

GENER8ION - STORM starring Yung Lean
Harry Styles - Dance No More
KATSEYE - PINKY UP
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Tate McRae - Nobody's Girl
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Visual Effects

Ariana Grande - hate that i made you love me
JISOO X ZAYN - Eyes Closed
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
PinkPantheress - Stateside and Zara Larsson
RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer - Click Clack Symphony
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

The 2026 MTV VMAs will be held in Los Angeles on September 27. Fan voting is open in 13 categories, while voting for Best New Artist will continue until the ceremony.