Madonna won seven trophies at the 2026 MTV VMAs, while Taylor Swift claimed Video of the Year and the inaugural Artist Director Honor.
Madonna emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, collecting seven trophies, while Taylor Swift secured Video of the Year and became the inaugural recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honor.
The ceremony was held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on September 27 and hosted by Snoop Dogg. Female artists dominated the major televised categories, with Madonna, Swift, LISA and British singer Sienna Spiro among the evening’s prominent winners.
Madonna Wins Seven MTV VMA Trophies
Madonna converted her ceremony-leading 13 nominations into seven victories, including Artist of the Year.
She also won Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love” and Best Dance for “Confessions II – The Film.”
Her other victories came in the Best Cinematography, Best Choreography, Best Long Form Video and Best Album categories. Paramount’s official results confirmed that Madonna won more awards than any other artist during the 2026 ceremony.
Madonna opened the show with her first musical performance at the VMAs in 23 years. She performed material from Confessions II, including “Bring Your Love” with Carpenter.
Her victory carried additional significance because Madonna helped establish the VMAs as a major pop-culture event through her headline-making “Like a Virgin” performance at the inaugural ceremony in 1984.
Taylor Swift Wins Video of the Year
Taylor Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” securing the ceremony’s final and most prominent competitive award.
She also received Best Direction for “Opalite” and accepted the first MTV VMA Artist Director Honor. The newly created recognition celebrates musicians whose work behind the camera has expanded visual storytelling in music.
Swift’s latest victories extended her record as the most-awarded artist in VMA history. During the ceremony, she also premiered the self-directed video for her new song “Patient Zero.”
BTS, LISA and Sienna Spiro Among Major Winners
BTS secured Song of the Year and Best K-Pop for “Swim,” while also being named Best Group.
BLACKPINK member LISA won Best Pop for “Dream,” featuring Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi. Sienna Spiro received Best New Artist after defeating six other emerging performers.
Cardi B and Kehlani won Best Hip-Hop for “Safe,” while Bruno Mars received Best R&B for “I Just Might.” Olivia Rodrigo’s “The Cure” was named Best Alternative.
Bad Bunny won Best Latin for “NUEVAYoL,” and Ella Langley took Best Country for “Choosin’ Texas.”
MTV VMAs 2026: Major Winners List
- Video of the Year: Taylor Swift — “The Fate of Ophelia”
- Artist of the Year: Madonna
- Song of the Year: BTS — “Swim”
- Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
- Best Collaboration: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter — “Bring Your Love”
- Best Pop: LISA featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi — “Dream”
- Best Hip-Hop: Cardi B featuring Kehlani — “Safe”
- Best R&B: Bruno Mars — “I Just Might”
- Best Alternative: Olivia Rodrigo — “The Cure”
- Best Dance: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Latin: Bad Bunny — “NUEVAYoL”
- Best K-Pop: BTS — “Swim”
- Best Country: Ella Langley — “Choosin’ Texas”
- Best Direction: Taylor Swift — “Opalite”
- Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress — “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- Best Cinematography: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter — “House Tour”
- Best Choreography: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande — “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
- Best Group: BTS
- Best Long Form Video: Madonna — “Confessions II – The Film”
- Best Album: Madonna — Confessions II
- Song of Summer: Ariana Grande — “Hate That I Made You Love Me”
The complete category results were released by Paramount following the ceremony.
Nirvana Receives Video Vanguard Award
Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award in recognition of the band’s lasting influence on music videos and popular culture.
The ceremony also included performances by Madonna, LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, Gunna, GENER8ION and Yung Lean.
With Madonna’s seven-award sweep and Swift’s historic directing honour, the 2026 VMAs brought together two artists from different generations who have played defining roles in the evolution of music videos.
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