The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Rapper Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, marking the first time the annual awards show has returned to Los Angeles since 2017, when Katy Perry hosted at The Forum according to The Hollywood Reporter. The broadcast aired live on the CBS Television Network and MTV, with a U.S. streaming simulcast on Paramount+ and global availability the following day.
Snoop Dogg Hosts as the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Return to Los Angeles
Heading into the evening, Madonna led all nominees with 13 nods, followed by Taylor Swift with 11 nominations, Sabrina Carpenter with nine, and Ariana Grande with eight. Madonna also opened the broadcast with her first live performance on the VMAs stage in over two decades, according to CBS News.
Major Honorees and Historic Wins
Additionally, the surviving members of grunge band Nirvana—Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear—accepted the Video Vanguard Award in recognition of their contributions to the medium. The tribute featured archival footage of late frontman Kurt Cobain discussing the creation of music videos such as Smells Like Teen Spirit,
Come As You Are,
and Heart-Shaped Box.
Stage Highlights and Special Tributes
Madonna’s opening sequence featured green lasers and cameras following her and Sabrina Carpenter through the venue to perform Bring Your Love,
which later won the award for Best Collaboration. Madonna then transitioned into a performance of “Danceteria” alongside Charli XCX, featuring cameos from Debi Mazar and Julia Garner. Madonna later won Artist of the Year.
The ceremony also featured tributes to music icons. Kacey Musgraves performed I Will Always Love You
—originally released by Dolly Parton in 1974—following a video honoring Parton, who died the previous month following a battle with cancer. Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims also teamed up for a tribute to George Michael.
Competitive Winners
Selected winners from the competitive categories announced during the ceremony include:
- Artist of the Year: Madonna (Warner Records)
- Video of the Year: Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia (Republic Records)
- Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” (Warner Records)
- Best Pop: LISA – Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi (Lloud Co./RCA Records)
- Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro (Capitol Records)
- Best Long Form Video: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” (Warner Records)
