A lot of the awards at the 2026 MTV VMAs on Sunday (Sept. 27) went pretty much as expected. We all knew Madonna was going to win best long-form video for Confessions II — The Film. Madonna had been the first winner in the category in 1991 for The Immaculate Collection, and a repeat win would make a nice bookend for her unparalleled VMAs career. Sure enough, she did win that award.
BTS’ three wins, capping a big comeback year, were also expected.
But that doesn’t mean there were no snubs and surprises in the show, which ran a little over two hours.
Madonna opened the show in what was her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years. It was her fifth time opening the show, which set a new VMAs record.
There were two tributes to late, great artists. Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton. RAYE, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert honored George Michael. In addition, Nirvana, which disbanded upon the suicide of lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, received the video vanguard award.
Taylor Swift received the inaugural VMA Artist Director honors. In addition, the music video for Swift’s new single, “Patient Zero,” premiered at the awards.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs aired live from Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27 (7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 p.m. PT) on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. The VMAs were produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler served as producer.
Here are some of the biggest snubs and surprises from the 2026 VMAs.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards got off to a rough start – at least for those of us watching at home. While those in attendance at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (the show was held in L.A. thanks to host Snoop Dogg’s request/demand) witnessed a show that started on time, everyone elsewhere who tuned into CBS/MTV or Paramount+ at 7:30 p.m. ET saw either a Donnie Wahlberg-hosted trip down VMAs memory lane or the end of the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively. Due to the football game, the 2026 VMAs hit screens 22 minutes late, which was irritating and seemingly something that a little preplanning could have prevented before it became an issue.
Thankfully, the show started off strong with one of the most iconic MTV artists of all time (more on that below) bringing out a coterie of cameos for a one-two dancefloor punch. By the time the night was over, Madonna was the night’s big winner, taking home seven Moon Person trophies (three of them on the telecast). Taylor Swift was awarded the inaugural artist director honors, after which she premiered her self-directed “Patient Zero” music video (which is now on Spotify) and won the coveted video of the year trophy for “The Fate of Ophelia” video (which she also wrote and directed). Plus, the surviving members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and a cig-smoking Pat Smear) showed up for Nirvana to receive the MTV video vanguard award three decades after the death of frontman Kurt Cobain.
But which performances stood out? Who soared and who bored? Below is our ranking of the 2026 VMAs performances from least mode to beast mode.
Gener8ion and Yung Lean made their MTV Video Music Awards debut on Sunday (Sept. 27), bringing their chaotic “Storm” visual to the 2026 VMAs stage at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles as the final performance of the night.
Under his Gener8ion alias, French producer Surkin and Yung Lean teamed up with director Romain Gavras to helm the “Storm” visual in April, which caught fire online and boasts more than 26 million views.
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Yung Lean and Gener8ion brought the clip to life at the VMAs. It finds the Swedish rapper playing an intimidating bully at a British boarding school set in 2034.
In a disheveled schoolboy look, Lean smashes a Moon Person and heads to the center of a group of students. They remake the viral portion of their visual, which creates a mesmerizing hallucinatory effect around Lean, with his dancing classmates making a tidal wave with their synchronized choreography.
Lean casually munches on an ice cream and walks toward the camera, spitting on the lens and wiping it with his dessert to close out the unique performance.
“One of the best performances of the night at the #VMAs is, without a doubt, this one from GENER8ION and Yung Lean giving it their all in ‘STORM II,’” one fan gushed on X.
The seven-minute “Storm” short film picked up four nominations: video of the year, best choreography, best direction and best long-form video.
“Storm I” and “Storm II” landed on Gener8ion’s Love & Tears album in June. Yung Lean has been busy as well, contributing “That’s It” alongside Metro Boomin and Future to the GTA VI: The Album soundtrack earlier in September.
Watch the “Storm” performance below.
Madonna was the big winner at the 2026 MTV VMAs, which went down on Sunday (Sept. 27). Madonna won a total of seven awards, the most of any artist on the night. Madonna has now won 26 VMAs in competition, which puts her just behind Taylor Swift (32) and Beyoncé (29) on the all-time leaderboard.
BTS received three awards, which made them the night’s runners-up. Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande each won two awards. BTS and Grande were not present at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles to receive their awards, though Madonna and Swift were very visible.
Madonna opened the show in what was her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years. It was her fifth time opening the show, which set a new VMAs record. (She had been tied with Rihanna with four show-openers each.)
In addition to her two wins in competitive categories, Swift received the inaugural VMA Artist Director honors. Also, the music video for Swift’s new single, “Patient Zero,” premiered at the awards. Swift directed the video, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
There were two tributes to late, great artists. Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton. RAYE, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert honored George Michael. In addition, Nirvana, which disbanded upon the suicide of lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, received the video vanguard award.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs aired live from Los Angeles on Sunday on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. The VMAs were produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler served as producer.
Here are some of the records that were set at the 2026 MTV VMAs.
Fuerza Regida caught up with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly on the red carpet of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
It was a rockin’ mix of iconic and up-and-coming when the stars began to arrive on the red carpet for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday (Sept. 17) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Among the musical acts showing off their looks were the surviving members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear), who struck a pose in rocker chic black, ready to accept the Video Vanguard Award; Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav showed up prepared to fight the power; BLACKPINK’s LISA — who is set to perform and is nominated for four Moon People — was spicy in a red ensemble; sombr, who will perform a tribute to the late George Michael, showed off his appeal with a belt buckle that declared “sex”; and performer RAYE, who will also honor George Michael, dazzled in a figure-hugging silver number.
Going into the evening, legendary artist Madonna leads in VMA nominations with a lucky 13, while Taylor Swift — who will be premiering the video for her new single, “Patient Zero” during the ceremony — is close on her heals with 11. Other top nominees include Sabrina Carpenter with nine; Ariana Grande with eight; Bruno Mars at seven; Ella Langley, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson boasting five a piece; and Charli xcx, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo, Yung Lean and GENER8ION with four each.
Hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg hosts the 2026 ceremony, which airs live from coast to coast on MTV, CBS and streaming on Paramount+. In addition to the Moon People who will be handed out during the ceremony, there will also be special tributes, including the aforementioned nod to George Michael by sombr, RAYE as well as Teddy Swims. Late, great country icon Dolly Parton, who died Aug. 25 at age 80, will also be honored with a performance by Kacey Musgraves.
See some of the best photos from the 2026 VMAs red carpet below:
Fuerza Regida caught up with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly on the red carpet of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Slayyyter caught up with Billboard’s Tetris Kelly on the red carpet of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Ricky Martin and Pedro Sampaio headlined the 2026 NFL Rio Game’s halftime show Sunday (Sept. 27) with the live debut of their new song “Pikito, Pikito.”
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The Puerto Rican superstar and Brazilian DJ, singer and producer teamed up for a short and sweet, but exuberant, performance of the high-energy track — Martin’s first single to be released in the past few years — that went on as the Baltimore Ravens faced the Dallas Cowboys at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“Pikito, Pikito” is an expression meaning “quick kiss,” derived from the Spanish word piquito. In a cute moment on the field, Sampaio gave a little “pikito” to Martin on the cheek.
The performance started atop bleachers and ended on the field, with the pair surrounded by an ensemble of dancers that included the cheerleaders for the Dallas Cowboys. Martin even showed off some fun footwork of his own to the vibrant beat of the song, which blends the sounds of pop, funk, samba, reggaeton, mambo and salsa.
Martin and Sampaio worked with choreographer Parris Goebel (Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga) for the “Pikito, Pikito” premiere, which incorporated the viral routine for Sampaio’s “Vai no Cavalinho.”
“Pikito, Pikito” arrived on streaming services post-performance via Sony Music Latin, at 6 p.m. ET.
The song credits Yoel Henriquez, Eudis Ruiz, Samantha Maria Cámara and Luis Salazar with Sampaio as writers. It was produced by Federico Vindver, Luis Salazar and Sampaio; Jean Rodriguez handled vocal recording and production, and Mosty mixed and mastered the track.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are taking over LA on Sunday night (Sept. 27), and some of the biggest names in music are gathered in the Peacock Theater to find out who will take home a Moon Person (or two). Billboard will be following along as winners are revealed all night, and you can stick with us as we update our winners list in real time.
So who’s coming into the show as the ones to beat? Madonna is returning to the VMAs stage as the night’s leading nominee, with 13 nods — a familiar place for the legend with a deep history on the MTV awards show. Taylor Swift, who has won a record 30 Moon Persons, is second on the leaderboard with 11 nominations. Other top contenders: Sabrina Carpenter (nine nods); Ariana Grande (eight); Bruno Mars (six); and PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson (five each).
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs are airing live on Sunday night. Performers and special honorees include Madonna opening the show; Kacey Musgraves performing a tribute to Dolly Parton; RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims honoring George Michael; Nirvana receiving the Video Vanguard Award; and LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey (with and without Gunna) and GENER8ION & Yung Lean hitting the stage.
The VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler serves as producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski and Bruce Gillmer serve as executive producers alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Melanie Block serves as co-executive producer and Gary Lanvy as co-producer. Snoop Dogg is executive producer alongside producers Sara Ramaker and Jasmin Ratansi. Jen Proctor is executive talent producer.
Stick with Billboard all night and follow along with our updating winners list below.