Taylor Swift, Madonna and BTS Shine at 2026 MTV VMAs

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards delivered a star studded night in Los Angeles, with Taylor Swift, Madonna and K-pop group BTS among the major winners at the ceremony. The awards took place on Sunday, September 27, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with rapper Snoop Dogg serving as host. Madonna emerged as the night’s biggest winner with seven awards across the ceremony, while Taylor Swift claimed the prestigious Video of the Year award for “The Fate of Ophelia.”

Swift also won Best Direction for “Opalite”, while Madonna collected Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration alongside Sabrina Carpenter for “Bring Your Love”, Best Dance and several technical awards.

BTS also had a strong night, winning Song of the Year for “SWIM”, Best K-Pop and Best Group. British newcomer Sienna Spiro was named Best New Artist, while LISA won Best Pop for “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.

Other notable winners included Cardi B and Kehlani, who won Best Hip-Hop for “Safe”, and Bruno Mars, who took home Best R&B for “I Just Might.” Bad Bunny won Best Latin for “NUEVAYoL”, while Ella Langley won Best Country for “Choosin’ Texas.”

Nigerian music also featured prominently among the nominees, with Burna Boy and Tems receiving nominations. However, neither artist took home an award on the night. The ceremony also included special honours. Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, while Swift became the first recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.

Full List of 2026 MTV VMA Winners

• Video of the Year: Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
• Artist of the Year: Madonna
• Song of the Year: BTS – “SWIM”
• Best New Artist: Sienna Spiro
• Best Collaboration: Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
• Best Pop: LISA – “Dream” feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
• Best Hip-Hop: Cardi B feat. Kehlani – “Safe”
• Best R&B: Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
• Best Alternative: Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure”
• Best Dance: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
• Best Latin: Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”
• Best K-Pop: BTS – “SWIM”
• Best Country: Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
• Best Group: BTS
• Best Long Form Video: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
• Best Album: Madonna – Confessions II
• Song of Summer: Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
• Best Direction: Taylor Swift – “Opalite”
• Best Art Direction: PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
• Best Cinematography: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
• Best Editing: Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
• Best Choreography: Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
• Best Visual Effects: Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
• Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
• MTV VMA Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift

The 2026 VMAs once again brought together major names from pop, hip-hop, R&B, K-pop, Latin and country music, while celebrating both established stars and emerging artists.