Madonna Leads 2026 MTV VMA Nominations with Eleven, Ahead of Carpenter, Swift and Grande

Madonna received eleven nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, the most of any artist, Variety and Billboard reported on August 19. Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter followed as the ceremony's leading nominees. Carpenter earned seven, including video of the year for 'Tears' and artist of the year. The nominations were announced ahead of the 2026 ceremony.