The 2026 MTV VMAs nominee list was announced on August 18, 2026. Based on the currently published nominations, Madonna leads with 11 nominations, followed by Taylor Swift with 9. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received 7 nominations. K-pop artists and songs are also represented across several categories, particularly Best K-Pop, making it useful to review both the nomination counts and the category breakdown.
Timing and scope
This schedule can be used for reference ahead of the September 2026 ceremony, following the nominee announcement. The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on September 27, 2026. The nominee announcement and the award results are separate stages, so the information currently confirmed is limited to the nominees and voting schedule.
Madonna’s nominations are in Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects. Taylor Swift is nominated for Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects.
The current leading nomination counts are Madonna with 11 and Taylor Swift with 9. These figures compare nominations and do not represent the number of awards won.
Key dates
| Item | Confirmed schedule or details |
|---|---|
| Nominees announced | August 18, 2026 |
| Main ceremony | September 27, 2026, in Los Angeles |
| U.S. live broadcast | From 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS |
| Simulcast and streaming | Simulcast on MTV; streaming on Paramount+ |
| Availability outside the U.S. | Expected to become available on Paramount+ and MTV the day after the ceremony |
| General fan-voting deadline | 6 p.m. Eastern Time on September 25 for most categories |
| Exception | Best New Artist voting remains open during the live broadcast |
U.S. viewers can check the schedule based on the CBS broadcast, the MTV simulcast, and Paramount+ streaming information. Outside the United States, the event is expected to be made available on Paramount+ and MTV the following day. Viewers in South Korea should check the specific local time separately.
Preparation window
Anyone planning to participate in fan voting should confirm the deadline up to the ceremony. Fan voting is available in 13 categories, and most categories close at 6 p.m. Eastern Time on September 25. Best New Artist is the exception, with voting continuing during the live broadcast.
From August 20 through September 24, 2026, a daily Power Hour will run from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Votes cast during this period will count double by category. It is therefore helpful to check the regular deadline separately from the Power Hour period and hours.
The Best Dance category is returning after a seven-year hiatus. Another point to note is that 26 nominees are receiving their first nomination, including CORTIS.
Voting and participation
Fan voting by nominee can be found on MTV’s official voting page. Voting covers 13 categories, with 6 p.m. Eastern Time on September 25 serving as the standard deadline for the general categories. Best New Artist follows a different closing procedure, so the same deadline should not be applied to every category.
For readers checking the K-pop nominees first, the six Best K-Pop nominees are:
- BLACKPINK, “JUMP”
- BTS, “SWIM”
- CORTIS, “REDRED”
- KATSEYE, “PINKY UP”
- LE SSERAFIM and BTS’s j-hope, “SPAGHETTI”
- LISA, “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
BTS’s “SWIM” is nominated in both Song of the Year and Best K-Pop. BLACKPINK is nominated for Best K-Pop with “JUMP,” while LISA’s “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi” appears in four categories, including Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. LISA has received 4 solo nominations in total.
Potential changes
Because the ceremony has not yet taken place, the currently confirmed information consists of the nominee announcement, broadcast plans, and voting schedule. A nomination does not confirm a win; the actual results must be checked after the ceremony.
Broadcast and availability details vary by region. CBS, MTV, and Paramount+ information has been provided for the United States, but no specific viewing time outside the U.S. has been confirmed. Viewers in South Korea who plan to watch the ceremony or on-demand content should review the regional guidance from Paramount+ and MTV again before the event.
Voting also differs between the general categories and Best New Artist. The standard deadline of 6 p.m. Eastern Time on September 25 should be distinguished from Best New Artist voting, which continues during the live broadcast. Since Power Hour runs through September 24, voters should check both the applicable period and the daily hours.
The most notable figures currently associated with the 2026 MTV VMAs are Madonna’s 11 nominations and Taylor Swift’s 9. Alongside the six Best K-Pop nominees and the nominations for BTS, BLACKPINK, and LISA, the key points to check before the September 27 ceremony are the leading nomination counts, the K-pop category, the U.S. broadcast details, and the fan-voting schedule.