Madonna and Taylor Swift win big at 2026 VMAs

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took place on Sunday, September 27. Madonna took home the most awards, with 7 wins. Taylor Swift made VMA history by becoming the most awarded artist ever. She was tied with Beyoncé for 30 awards, however, the singer won 3 awards on the night, bringing her total number of VMAs to 33.

Madonna's wins included Artist of the Year; Best Album for Confessions II; Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for Bring Your Love; Best Dance; Best Cinematography; Best Choreography and Best Long Form Video for Confessions II - The Film.

She also opened the ceremony with her first VMA performance in 23 years.

Her newest album is a successor to her 2005 record Confessions on a Dance Floor, which features the hit single 'Hung Up.'

Swift won Video of the Year for 'The Fate of Ophelia' and Best Direction for 'Opalite.' She was also awarded the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, for her music video direction.

In her acceptance speech for Video of the Year, she dedicated the award to the late Dolly Parton, whom she described as the "ultimate showgirl."

The pop singer premiered her new music video for 'Patient Zero' at the ceremony, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

Nirvana won the 2026 Video Vanguard award, with members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear accepting the award.

Sienna Spiro won Best New Artist, and performed her breakout single 'Great Expectation'.

Other winners at the ceremony included  Sabrina Carpenter, who won Best Collaboration with Madonna for 'Bring Your Love', and Best Editing for 'House Tour'.

BTS won Best Group, along with Song of the Year for 'Swim', and Best K-POP for 'Swim'.

Lisa won Best Pop for 'Dream' featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi, Bruno Mars took home Best R&B for 'I Just Might', while Cardi B and Kehlani picked up Best Hip Hop for 'Safe'.

Ella Langley won her first VMA, Best Country, for 'Choosin' Texas'. Olivia Rodrigo beat out Geese and Sombr for Best Alternative with 'the cure', and Bad Bunny took home Best Latin for 'NUEVAYoL'.

Ariana Grande picked up Best Visual Effects for 'hate that i made you love me.'

Performances at the ceremony featured Gener8ion & Yung Lean, RAYE, and Charli XCX. Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Dolly Parton with a rendition of 'I Will Always Love You.'

The ceremony was hosted by Snoop Dogg, and was held in the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.