Madonna and Taylor Swift were among the biggest winners at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), held on Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Madonna collected seven awards from 13 nominations, including ‘Artist of the Year’, ‘Best Dance’ for her ‘Confessions II’ short film, ‘Best Collaboration’ for ‘Bring Your Love’ featuring Sabrina Carpenter, ‘Best Cinematography’ and ‘Best Album’.
Swift secured her first-ever ‘Artist Director’ award for ‘Patient Zero’. She also won ‘Video of the Year’ for ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ and ‘Best Direction’ for ‘Opalite’.
Afrofusion singer Burna Boy missed out on the ‘Best Collaboration’ and ‘Best Latin’ awards, which went to Madonna and Bad Bunny respectively.
Nigerian singer Tems also failed to win ‘Best R&B’, with Bruno Mars taking the award for ‘I Just Might’.
The ceremony was hosted by Snoop Dogg and featured performances from several artistes, including Kacey Musgraves, who paid tribute to Dolly Parton.
Full list of winners
Video of the Year
Winner: Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” – Republic Records
Artiste of the Year
Winner: Madonna – Warner Records
Song of the Year
Winner: BTS – “Swim” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Best New Artiste
Winner: Sienna Spiro – Capitol Records
Best Collaboration
Winner: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” – Warner Records
Best Pop
Winner: LISA – “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi – Lloud Co./RCA Records
Best Hip-Hop
Winner: Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe” – Atlantic Records
Best R&B
Winner: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” – Atlantic Records
Best Alternative
Winner: Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure” – Geffen Records
Best Dance
Winner: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
Best Latin
Winner: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL” – Rimas Entertainment
Best K-Pop
Winner: BTS – “SWIM” – BIGHIT MUSIC
Best Country
Winner: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” – Columbia Records
Best Direction
Winner: Taylor Swift – “Opalite” – Republic Records
Best Art Direction
Winner: PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” – Warner Records UK/Atlantic Records
Best Cinematography
Winner: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
Best Editing
Winner: Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”- Island
Best Choreography
Winner: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film” – Warner Records
Best Visual Effects
Winner: Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me” – Republic Records
Best Group
Winner: BTS
Best Long Form Video
Winner: Madonna – Confessions II – The Film – Warner Records
Best Album
Winner: Madonna –Confessions II – Warner Records
Song of Summer
Winner: Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” – Republic Records