Photo Credit: Taylor Swift for MTV (@MTV / X)
It’s been over 40 years since Madonna’s iconic performance at the first MTV VMAs, but in 2026 she was the night’s biggest winner—even more so than Taylor Swift.
Madonna took home seven trophies from her 11 nominations at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night, including Artist of the Year. The feat makes her the biggest winner of the night, more than 40 years after her iconic “Like a Virgin” performance at the very first VMAs.
Unsurprisingly, fellow pop superstar Taylor Swift followed closely with three wins of her nine nominations. These include the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, Video of the Year (“The Fate of Ophelia”), and Best Direction (“Opalite”).
Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, meanwhile, each had seven nominations, with the former taking home two trophies and the latter earning one. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress, and Zara Larsson each were nominated for five awards, and each secured one win.
Alongside the awards themselves, the 2026 MTV VMAs included a star-studded tribute to George Michael nearly a decade after his death, with a medley of various Wham! and George Michael’s solo hits. Performers included Raye, Sombr, Teddy Swims, and surprise guest Adam Lambert.
2026 MTV VMA Winners
Video of the Year
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” (Republic Records)
Artist of the Year
Song of the Year
- BTS – “Swim” (BigHit Music)
Best New Artist
- Sienna Spiro (Capitol Records)
Best Collaboration
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” (Warner Records)
Best Pop
- LISA – “Dream (featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi)” (Lloud Co./ RCA Records)
Best Hip-Hop
- Cardi B featuring Kehlani – “Safe” (Atlantic Records)
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” (Atlantic Records)
Best Alternative
- Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure” (Geffen Records)
Best Dance
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” (Warner Records)
Best Latin
- Bad Bunny – “NEUVAYoL” (Rimas Entertainment)
Best K-Pop
- BTS – “Swim” (BigHit Music)
Best Country
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” (Columbia Records)
Best Direction
- Taylor Swift – “Opalite” (Republic Records)
Best Art Direction
- PinkPantheress, “Stateside + Zara Larsson” (Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records)
Best Cinematography
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” (Warner Records)
Best Editing
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour!” (Island)
Best Choreography
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” (Warner Records)
Best Visual Effects
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” (Republic Records)