NEW YORK — Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with Sabrina Carpenter on Sunday, performing her new single “Bring Your Love” before joining Charli xcx for a reworked version of “Danceteria” at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Madonna began the show with the words “It’s mother” before Carpenter joined her onstage. Charli xcx later emerged from a club bathroom as the performance shifted into “Danceteria,” with dancers and guests including actor Debi Mazar, Sombr and Julia Garner joining the spectacle.
The ceremony started 20 minutes late because of an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys.
Snoop Dogg, a 13-time VMA nominee and three-time winner, took over as host shortly after the opening performance.
“Now that is an icon,” Dogg said of Madonna before adding a joke about her career.
Teyana Taylor then presented the first award of the night for best pop to LISA for “Dream,” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
LISA thanked MTV while holding back tears and credited her late-night work and dreams for helping bring her to the stage.
Taylor Swift set to make VMA history
Taylor Swift is set to become the most awarded artist in VMA history when she receives the inaugural Artist Director Honors.
Swift entered the ceremony tied with Beyoncé at 30 VMA wins. The new award will give Swift her 31st VMA, moving her ahead of Beyoncé. Eminem holds the record among male artists with 15 wins.
The VMAs created the Artist Director Honors to recognize artists whose work behind the camera has expanded music videos and visual storytelling.
Swift will also debut the music video for her new song “Patient Zero,” which she directed and which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
The song marks Swift’s first single since she married Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden in July.
Madonna leads nominations
Madonna leads this year’s VMA nominations with 11 nods, extending her record of earning nominations across every decade of her music career.
She received nominations for video, artist and song of the year, as well as best collaboration, dance, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.
Swift follows with nine nominations, including video and artist of the year, best pop, direction, art direction, cinematography, editing, choreography and visual effects.
Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received seven nominations.
Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson each earned five nominations, while Blackpink’s LISA received four.
Shakira, Tate McRae, GENER8ION and Yung Lean each received three nominations.
Performances and tributes
Madonna’s opening performance marked her first appearance as a performer at the VMAs in 23 years.
Kacey Musgraves will honor the late Dolly Parton during the ceremony. Parton died in Nashville in August from cancer at age 80.
Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will also pay tribute to George Michael, who died on Christmas Day 10 years ago at age 53.
Raye will perform twice during the ceremony, including a solo performance.
Other performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean, Shaboozey with Gunna, LISA and Sienna Spiro.
CBS is broadcasting the two-hour ceremony live from the Peacock Theater, with MTV also airing the show and Paramount+ streaming it in the United States.
