The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards took place tonight at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Snoop Dogg as the evening’s host. Madonna led the ceremony with 13 nominations, tying Lady Gaga’s record for the most nods in a single night, and ultimately took home seven of those — making her the evening’s winningest artist.
This year’s Video of the Year nominees included Sabrina Carpenter’s Colman Domingo-starring Rocky Horror ode “Tears”; Madonna’s Confessions II – The Film; Taylor Swift’s “Fate of Ophelia,” which casts her as muses throughout history; and Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” where she haunts a guilty ex-boyfriend played by Justin Long. The trophy ultimately went to Swift, who also received the inaugural Artist Director Honors award earlier in the evening.
Elsewhere, Geese were up for Best Alternative for their video for Getting Killed lead single “Taxes,” and PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson won Best Art Direction for their aesthetic-swapping “Stateside” remix video. Ella Langley’s record-breaking Billboard No. 1 Hit “Choosin’ Texas” earned plenty of nominations, but ultimately only took home the Best Country category.
The ceremony also featured performances by Madge (performing at the VMAs for the first time in 23 years), LISA, Yung Lean, and Gunna, among others. Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves sang a tribute to the late Dolly Parton.
Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
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
WINNER: Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Bruno Mars
WINNER: Madonna
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
WINNER: BTS – Swim
Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
Huntr/x – Golden
Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
Olivia Dean – Man I Need
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Raye – Where Is My Husband!
Best New Artist, presented by The General Insurance®
Bella Kay
Cortis
Magnus Ferrell
Malcolm Todd
Myles Smith
WINNER: Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice – Chains & Whips
French Montana & Max B – Ever Since U Left Me
WINNER: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – Bring Your Love
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Shakira & Burna Boy – Dai Dai
Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – Hard Part
Best Pop
Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
Charli xcx – SS26
WINNER: Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi – Dream
Olivia Rodrigo – Drop Dead
Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
Taylor Swift – The Fate of Ophelia
Best Hip-Hop
WINNER: Cardi B & Kehlani – Safe
Don Toliver – E85
Drake – Janice STFU
Megan Thee Stallion – Lover Girl
Travis Scott – Dumbo
Tyler, the Creator – Sugar on My Tongue
Best R&B
WINNER: Bruno Mars – I Just Might
Chris Brown – It Depends/Obvious
Dave & Tems – Raindance
Justin Bieber – Yukon
Kehlani – Folded
Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – Is It a Crime
Best Alternative
Geese – Taxes
MGK & Fred Durst – Fix Ur Face
Noah Kahan – The Great Divide
WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo – The Cure
Sombr – Homewrecker
Tame Impala – Dracula
Twenty One Pilots – Drag Path
Best Dance, presented by Bacardí® Rum
Bebe Rexha & Faithless – New Religion
Harry Styles – Aperture
Lady Gaga & Doechii – Runway
WINNER: Madonna – Confessions II – The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – Stateside
Slayyyter – Dance…
Tate McRae – Nobody’s Girl
