MTV VMAs 2026: Taylor Swift makes history as Madonna wins big

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards saw Taylor Swift become the most awarded artist in the ceremony's history, while Madonna dominated the night with seven wins. The star-studded event took place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27, and was hosted by Snoop Dogg.

Female artists dominate the ceremony

The ceremony largely awarded female artists, with LISA, Sienna Spiro, and Sabrina Carpenter also taking home awards. Madonna received the most nominations, with 13, and won seven by the end of the night.

Accepting the award for artist of the year, the 68-year-old said: "Most of you were probably not born when I performed at the very first VMAs 43 years ago." Her other awards included Best Dance for her Confessions II short film and Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter.

Taylor Swift's record-breaking night

Taylor Swift took home three awards this year, bringing her career total to an unmatched 33. She had previously been tied with Beyonce at 30 awards each. Her song "The Fate of Ophelia" was named music video of the year, the ceremony's most prestigious award.

Collecting her Moon Person trophy, Swift dedicated the award to the late Dolly Parton, who she deemed "the ultimate showgirl" who told stories that were "so vivid and so rich." She added: "I think that we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time."

The 36-year-old also debuted the music video for her new song Patient Zero, starring actors Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.