Entertainment briefing

MTV VMAs 2026: Madonna opens and leads with 11 nominations as Snoop Dogg hosts Sunday on CBS

The MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, Sep 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on CBS and MTV, streaming on Paramount+. Madonna leads the field with 11 nominations and opens the show; Taylor Swift has nine, and Nirvana receives the Video Vanguard Award.

By US Brief desk · Updated 2026-09-26T17:43:00-07:00

Madonna performing during The Celebration Tour in London in October 2023 (file photo)

Editor’s note: Air time, host, performers, presenters and nomination counts come from CBS/Paramount press materials and Billboard (Paul Grein), with Deadline; all published before the Sep 27, 2026 telecast. Lineups for live shows often change on the day. Nomination and career-win tallies are as reported by Billboard. Winners are not known at drafting; this is a preview, not results.

The MTV Video Music Awards return Sunday night with a veteran at the center. Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations and will open the show, her first VMAs performance in 23 years and, per CBS, a record fifth time opening the ceremony. Snoop Dogg hosts.

How to watch: The show airs Sunday, Sep 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT) live on CBS and MTV, and streams on Paramount+ (Premium tier for live viewing), per CBS.

The nominations: Behind Madonna, whose album 'Confessions II' reached No. 1 and who already holds 19 competitive VMA wins, Taylor Swift has nine nominations; Billboard noted she has won 30 Moon Persons in her career. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter have seven each; Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have five; and LISA has four. This year's field includes 26 first-time nominees, and the Best Dance category returns.

Performances and tributes: Kacey Musgraves will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton, and RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims will honor George Michael. Nirvana will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. Other scheduled performers include LISA, Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION with Yung Lean, and Shaboozey with Gunna. Announced presenters include Alex Warren, Charli xcx, Teyana Taylor, Tyla and Troye Sivan.

The Swift factor: Swift is set to premiere the music video for 'Patient Zero', one of four songs on the new 'The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore' edition released Friday, during the broadcast.

Why it matters: The simulcast on CBS as well as MTV puts the VMAs in front of a broadcast audience, and this year's nominee list, led by Madonna, Swift, Grande and Carpenter, features some of pop's biggest fan bases.

Uncertainty: Performer lineups and presenter lists for live award shows often change close to air time, and nominee attendance is not guaranteed.

What's next: US Brief will update with winners after the show ends Sunday evening.

Method note: US Brief digests are AI-assisted from the US Brief desk. We synthesize reputable reporting with cited sources; we do not invent quotes, figures, or forecasts.

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MTV VMAs 2026: Madonna opens and leads with 11 nominations as Snoop Dogg hosts Sunday on CBS

The MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, Sep 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on CBS and MTV, streaming on Paramount+. Madonna leads the field with 11 nominations and opens the show; Taylor Swift has nine, and Nirvana receives the Video Vanguard Award.

By US Brief desk · Updated 2026-09-26T17:43:00-07:00

AI-assisted digests from the US Brief desk. Synthesizes reputable reporting with cited sources; not a wire service. Corrections welcomed.

Madonna performing during The Celebration Tour in London in October 2023 (file photo)

The MTV Video Music Awards return Sunday night with a veteran at the center. Madonna leads all artists with 11 nominations and will open the show, her first VMAs performance in 23 years and, per CBS, a record fifth time opening the ceremony. Snoop Dogg hosts.

How to watch: The show airs Sunday, Sep 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT) live on CBS and MTV, and streams on Paramount+ (Premium tier for live viewing), per CBS.

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