Madonna remains the leading nominee for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards after MTV and CBS added four social categories to the nominations on Sept. 18. The new categories are Best Group, Best Long Form Video, Best Album and Song of Summer, bringing Madonna’s total to 13 nominations. Taylor Swift follows with 11, while Sabrina Carpenter has nine, Ariana Grande eight and Bruno Mars six. PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson have five each, while Charli xcx, Ella Langley, GENER8ION, KATSEYE, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Yung Lean each have four.

Madonna’s original 11 nominations included Video of the Year for “Confessions II – The Film,” Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Bring Your Love” with Sabrina Carpenter, Best Collaboration for the same song, Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

The newly announced Best Long Form Video category gives Madonna another nomination for “Confessions II – The Film.” She competes in the category alongside Charli xcx’s “Music, Fashion, Film,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and GENER8ION’s “STORM” starring Yung Lean.

The Best Group category includes BLACKPINK, BTS, CORTIS, FLO, Fuerza Regida, Geese, KATSEYE and Twenty One Pilots. Fan voting for the category is scheduled to begin Sept. 21 through the MTV Instagram Story and will use a bracket-style format.

The Best Album nominees are Drake’s Iceman, Madonna’s Confessions II, Olivia Dean’s The Art of Loving, Olivia Rodrigo’s You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend and Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl. Voting for the category is scheduled to open Sept. 25 on MTV’s Instagram Story.

Song of Summer features 15 nominees, including Ariana Grande’s “hate that i made you love me,” Bruno Mars’ “Risk It All,” Charli xcx’s “Camera,” Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” KATSEYE’s “Hootie Frutti,” Latto featuring Doja Cat’s “Okayyy,” Morgan Wallen’s “Been by Now,” Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (To Fall in Love),” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song” and Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour.”

The category also includes Slayyyter’s “brand new chanel$,” SOMBR’s “Homewrecker,” Stella Lefty’s “Boston,” Tame Impala and Jennie’s “Dracula” and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You.” Voting for Song of Summer will begin Sept. 26 and close the following morning.

Across the previously announced genre and technical categories, the nominees include major names from pop, hip-hop, R&B, alternative, dance, Latin, K-pop and country. The genre categories include Best Pop, Best Hip-Hop, Best R&B, Best Alternative, Best Dance, Best Latin, Best K-Pop and Best Country, while technical categories include Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

The 2026 VMAs will take place Sept. 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will air live on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg. Madonna is also scheduled to open the show, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years.

Nirvana is set to receive the 2026 Video Vanguard Award. Additional performers, presenters and special guests are expected to be announced ahead of the ceremony.