Madonna was up for 13 awards at the 2026 VMAs — the most of any nominee on MTV's biggest night.
See the highlights from the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards here. Our earlier story is below.
Madonna took the stage as a performer at the MTV Video Music Awards for the first time in over 20 years today as she looks to add to her 20 career wins at the VMAs.
The awards show also brought a milestone for Taylor Swift, who was given the VMAs' first-ever Artist Director Honors, which organizers said recognizes artists "whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling."
The new accolade made Swift the show's most-awarded artist ever, breaking the tie between her and Beyoncé, who each collected 30 Moon Persons as of 2024. (Neither added to their total in 2025.) Swift also went on to win Video of the Year, giving her 32 awards total.
Swift also debuted her new "Patient Zero" music video at the VMAs.
Nirvana, meanwhile, was this year's Video Vanguard Award recipient.
The show was slated to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT, on Sunday, Sept. 27, but was delayed slightly to allow the NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys to wrap up.
This year's show was hosted by Snoop Dogg. The rapper known for hits like "Beautiful," "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Gin and Juice" is no stranger to the VMAs stage, having first performed at the show in 1994 and winning three times during his career.
The VMAs aired on CBS television stations (find your local station here) and on MTV. The show is also available for streaming on Paramount+.
Special red carpet coverage streamed live on CBS News Los Angeles starting at 6 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. PT, ahead of the VMAs.
Along with Madonna's highly anticipated return, the performances at this year's VMAs included a special tribute to Dolly Parton by Kacey Musgraves, who was nominated in the best country category.
Here's a list of the VMAs performers, in alphabetical order:
When Madonna last performed at the VMAs in August 2003, George W. Bush was in the White House, the U.S. was five months into the Iraq War, and Mark Zuckerberg was a few months away from launching what's now known as Facebook.
This year, a performance by the 68-year-old Queen of Pop opened the VMAs. She was up for 13 awards, the most of any nominee of the night.
LISA, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink and a four-time nominee this year, took the stage to perform her new single "SaWaDiKa." First-time nominees GENER8ION and Swedish rapper Yung Lean, whose song "Storm" is up for four awards, performed the world premiere of "Storm II."
Singer-songwriter Sombr, nominated in three categories, joined RAYE, whose hit "Where Is My Husband!" was up for song of the year, and Teddy Swims in a tribute performance for George Michael, who died in 2016. The tribute comes nearly 40 years after the release of his first solo album, "Faith."
Country and hip-hop artist Shaboozey sand "Cowgirl," which received two nominations. He also joined Gunna for their collaboration "High Noon."
Best New Artist winner Sienna Spiro also performed.
The VMAs were held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, returning to the West Coast for the first time since 2017. The 7,100-seat theater last hosted the VMAs in 2015, when the venue was known as the Microsoft Theater.
Last year, the VMAs were held at New York's UBS Arena on Long Island. Here's a rundown of the 2025 winners: