Taylor Swift ranks second by number of nominations
Taylor Swift was nominated in nine categories on the 2026 MTV VMA nominations list. That is the second-highest total when all nominees are compared. Therefore, “nine nominations” refers to the number of nominations, not the number of awards won.
The list also includes 26 people receiving their first-ever nominations. This figure is calculated using a different standard from an individual artist’s nomination total and indicates the number of newcomers included in the nominations lineup.
Fan voting takes place in 13 categories, but Best New Artist has a different voting period
Fan voting is available in 13 categories, with the general deadline set for 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 25, 2026. However, voting in the Best New Artist category continues during the main ceremony. This is why that category should not be interpreted as having the same September 25 deadline.
The main ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. on September 27
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will be held at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater for two hours beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on September 27. The fan-voting deadline and the main ceremony are two days apart, and Best New Artist is subject to the separate condition that voting continues during the ceremony.