Madonna continues to dominate the music industry. The Queen of Pop tops all artists at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) with 11 nominations, edging out Taylor Swift, who trails closely behind with nine.

Madonna's haul of nominations is brought in by Confessions II - the film, which lands in the night's marquee race, Video of the Year, alongside nods for Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. She also picks up Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love," her team-up with Sabrina Carpenter, and a run of craft categories spanning Direction, Cinematography, Choreography, Editing, Art Direction, Visual Effects, and Dance.

Madonna, who turned 68 on August 16, already holds 19 competitive VMA wins and was the first female solo artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award, back in 1986. Running the table on all 11 nominations would tie her with Beyoncé and Swift at 30 wins apiece, the most decorated musician in the show's history.

Swift has plenty on the line too. Her nine nominations are led by "The Fate of Ophelia," up for both Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. A single win would push her past Beyoncé and make her the most-awarded artist the VMAs have ever seen.

Behind the two headliners, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande sit tied for third with seven nominations each, keeping pop's current class well represented against the veterans.

The 2026 MTV VMAs air live on Sunday, September 27 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, starting at 7:30pm ET / 4:30pm PT. The ceremony broadcasts on CBS with a simulcast on MTV and streams on Paramount+. Fans can vote in most categories now here.

You can view the full list of nominees below.

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 - 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
Sienna Spiro
Stella Lefty

Best Collaboration
Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice - Chains & Whips
French Montana & Max B - Ever Since U Left Me
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
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
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
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
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
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - Stateside
Slayyyter - Dance…
Tate McRae - Nobody’s Girl

Best Latin
Anitta & Shakira - Choka Choka
Bad Bunny - Nuevayol
Fuerza Regida - Tu Sancho
Karol G - Papasito
Rosalía & Yahritza y Su Esencia - La Perla
Ryan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta - La Villa
Shakira & Burna Boy - Dai Dai

Best K-Pop
Blackpink - Jump
BTS - Swim
Cortis - RedRed
Katseye - Pinky Up
Le Sserafim & J-Hope of BTS - Spaghetti
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - Dream

Best Country
Ella Langley - Choosin’ Texas
Kacey Musgraves - Dry Spell
Lainey Wilson - Somewhere Over Laredo
Luke Combs - Back in the Saddle
Shaboozey - Cowgirl
Stella Lefty - Boston
Tucker Wetmore - Brunette

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 Art Direction
Charli xcx - SS26
Lady Gaga & Doechii - Runway
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - Stateside
Sombr - My Body Isn’t Ready
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Cinematography
A$AP Rocky - Punk Rocky
Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - Dream
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
Shaboozey - Cowgirl
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia

Best Editing
Ariana Grande - Hate That I Made You Love Me
Bruno Mars - I Just Might
Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi - Dream
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 & Zayn - Eyes Closed
Madonna - Confessions II - The Film
PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson - Stateside
Raye & Hans Zimmer - Click Clack Symphony
Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia