NEW YORK: Madonna has taken the lead over Taylor Swift in the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards nominations, earning 11 nods as two generations of pop stars prepare to compete for top honors at this year’s ceremony.
Madonna leads the nominations with recognition in major categories, including Video of the Year for Confessions II and The Film and Artist of the Year. The nominations add another milestone to a career that has remained closely connected to the VMA‘s since the show’s early years.
The nominations have sparked excitement among fans of both pop icons, with supporters hoping their favorite artist will take home the top honors.
The pop star Madonna won her first VMA in 1986 with the Video Vanguard Award. She has since collected 20 VMA trophies, while her performance of “Like a Virgin” at the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 remains one of the ceremony’s most remembered moments.
Swift follows Madonna with nine nominations. She is competing for Video of the Year with The Fate of Ophelia, a song from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Swift also enters this year’s ceremony with an impressive VMA record. She currently shares the record for the most VMA wins with Beyoncé, with 30 awards each.
The race does not stop with Madonna and Swift, because Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are also among the leading nominees, with seven nominations each.
Madonna’s long history with MTV contrasts with Swift’s recent dominance, creating a headline-making matchup between two artists from different generations.
Fans will have a major role in deciding this year’s winners. Voting will be open in 13 categories, allowing viewers to choose their favorites before the ceremony. The 2026 MTV VMAs are scheduled for Sept. 27.
