Madonna and Taylor Swift dominated the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, with the former winning three prizes and the latter taking home the top prize.

Madonna went into the evening as the most nominated artist with 13 nods and left with seven wins overall at the ceremony, including three during the broadcast: for best collaboration, best dance and artist of the year.

While accepting the award for artist of the year, Madonna recalled falling during her performance at the very first VMAs 43 years ago.

"I had a little problem with my shoes... and I dove onto the stage to try to make myself look cute and sexy and like I meant to do it," she said. "I went backstage feeling really proud of myself and my manager told me that my career was over."

She added: "I spent the last year and a half finding myself, believing in myself and really making the music that I wanted to make. My hope for all of you here tonight is that you do the same. Find yourself and believe in yourself."

Swift, meanwhile, won in three categories, including video of the year for The Fate of Ophelia and best direction for Opalite, becoming the most-awarded artist in VMAs history.

She also took home the inaugural artist director honour, a new award which celebrates “groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video”.

She dedicated the win to Dolly Parton, who died last month at 80 after a cancer diagnosis.

"Listening to her songs, it's like watching the best music video you have ever seen in your life, every single time you hear what she's written," Swift said. "I think we were all very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time."

Read on for the full list of winners from the 2026 VMAs, which were hosted by Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California:

MTV VMAs 2026 winners: Full list of winners from Madonna to Taylor Swift

Best pop

• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Charli xcx — SS26
• Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi — Dream
• Olivia Rodrigo — Drop Dead
• Sabrina Carpenter — House Tour
• Tate McRae — Nobody’s Girl
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Video of the year

• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Bruno Mars — I Just Might
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Artist of the year

Song of the year

• Ella Langley — Choosin’ Texas
• Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter — Bring Your Love
• Olivia Dean — Man I Need
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
• Raye — Where Is My Husband!

Best new artist

Best collaboration

• Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T & Malice — Chains & Whips
• French Montana & Max B — Ever Since U Left Me
• Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter — Bring Your Love
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
• Shakira & Burna Boy — Dai Dai
• Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye — Hard Part

Best hip-hop

• Cardi B & Kehlani — Safe
• Megan Thee Stallion — Lover Girl
• Tyler, the Creator — Sugar on My Tongue

• Bruno Mars — I Just Might
• Chris Brown — It Depends/Obvious
• Dave & Tems — Raindance
• Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis — Is It a Crime

Best alternative

• MGK & Fred Durst — Fix Ur Face
• Noah Kahan — The Great Divide
• Olivia Rodrigo — The Cure
• Twenty One Pilots — Drag Path

Best dance

• Bebe Rexha & Faithless — New Religion
• Lady Gaga & Doechii — Runway
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
• Tate McRae — Nobody’s Girl

• Anitta & Shakira — Choka Choka
• Bad Bunny — Nuevayol
• Fuerza Regida — Tu Sancho
• Rosalía & Yahritza y Su Esencia — La Perla
• Ryan Castro, Kapo & Gangsta — La Villa
• Shakira & Burna Boy — Dai Dai

• Le Sserafim & J-Hope of BTS — Spaghetti
• Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi — Dream

Best country

• Ella Langley — Choosin’ Texas
• Kacey Musgraves — Dry Spell
• Lainey Wilson — Somewhere Over Laredo
• Luke Combs — Back in the Saddle

Best direction

• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Bruno Mars — I Just Might
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• Sabrina Carpenter — House Tour
• Taylor Swift — Opalite

Best art direction

• Charli xcx — SS26
• Lady Gaga & Doechii — Runway
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
• Sombr — My Body Isn’t Ready
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Best cinematography

• A$AP Rocky — Punk Rocky
• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi — Dream
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Best editing

• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
  Bruno Mars — I Just Might
  Lisa & Kentara Sakaguchi — Dream
  Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
  Sabrina Carpenter — House Tour
  Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Best choreography

• Harry Styles — Dance No More
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• Tate McRae — Nobody’s Girl
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Best visual effects

• Ariana Grande — Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Jisoo & Zayn — Eyes Closed
• Madonna — Confessions II - The Film
• PinkPantheress & Zara Larsson — Stateside
• Raye & Hans Zimmer — Click Clack Symphony
• Taylor Swift — The Fate of Ophelia

Best group

Best long form video

• Charli xcx — Music, Fashion, Film
• Ella Langley — Choosin’ Texas
• Madonna — Confessions II – The Film

Best album

• Drake – ICEMAN – OVO/Republic Records
• Madonna – Confessions II
• Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
• Olivia Rodrigo – you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love
• Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
• Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl

Song of summer

• Ariana Grande – Hate That I Made You Love Me
• Bruno Mars – Risk It All
• Charli xcx – Camera
• Ella Langley – Choosin’ Texas
• Latto ft. Doja Cat – Okayyy
• Morgan Wallen – Been By Now
• Olivia Dean – So Easy (To Fall in Love)
• Olivia Rodrigo – Stupid Song
• Sabrina Carpenter – House Tour
• Slayyyter – Brand New Chanel$
• Tame Impala & JENNIE – Dracula
• Taylor Swift – I Knew It, I Knew You

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