Madonna takes Artist of the Year as Taylor Swift wins Video of the Year and makes VMA history
At the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles, Madonna won three trophies including Artist of the Year, while Taylor Swift took Video of the Year and became the most-awarded VMA artist of all time.
What we know: The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held Sunday night (Sept. 27) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, hosted by Snoop Dogg and aired on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+. Madonna and Taylor Swift dominated the night’s biggest prizes, ABC News and The Indian Express reported.
Madonna took home three trophies: Artist of the Year; Best Dance for Confessions II — The Film (per ABC News’ winners list); and Best Collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love.” She opened the show with Carpenter — and Charli XCX — in her first VMA performance in 23 years, The Indian Express reported. Madonna had led the nominations with 13 nods, her first time atop the list in 28 years, ABC said.
Accepting Artist of the Year, Madonna said: “Most of you were probably not born, but I performed at the first MTV awards 43 years ago,” according to ABC News.
Taylor Swift’s history night: Swift won Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and received the inaugural Artist Director Honors before the show. She used the moment to premiere the video for “Patient Zero,” featuring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, ABC reported. She dedicated her Video of the Year win to Dolly Parton. Tied with Beyoncé at 30 VMA wins entering the night, Swift’s Artist Director Honors pushed her past that mark to become the most-awarded VMA artist, ABC and The Indian Express reported.
Nirvana and other winners: Nirvana — Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear — received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, presented by Public Enemy’s Chuck D, ABC reported. Other winners included Best New Artist Sienna Spiro; Best Pop for Lisa’s “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi; Best K-Pop for BLACKPINK’s “JUMP”; and a Dolly Parton tribute performance by Kacey Musgraves.
Note on Best Dance: ABC News lists Madonna’s Confessions II — The Film as Best Dance winner. The Indian Express’ winners table listed Harry Styles’ “Aperture” in that slot; other English-language roundups, including Rolling Stone’s coverage of Madonna’s haul, align with ABC. ReadingDlaw News follows ABC on that category.
What this means: The night was a dual coronation — Madonna as the veteran reclaiming Artist of the Year, Swift as the record-holder with Video of the Year and a new directing honor — while Nirvana’s vanguard award tied the show to the MTV video era that built the brand.