Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards awards, marking her first live performance at the show in 23 years.
The Queen of Pop, who heads into the awards with a leading 11 nominations, is riding high on the release of her latest album, Confessions II, which debuted at No. 1 in July on the US Billboard 200.
Her 2026 VMA nominations include Video of the Year for Confessions II – The Film, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year for Bring Your Love.
Madonna last performed at the VMAs alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera for the 2003 opener.
She has a long history with the VMAs. Her performance of Like a Virgin during the inaugural 1984 broadcast stands as a moment in pop culture history. Other VMA performances include Bye Bye Baby in 1993, Express Yourself in 1989, and Vogue in 1990.
Madonna’s nomination haul is followed by Taylor Swift, who garnered nine nods, and Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter, who landed seven apiece. Nirvana will be honoured with the Video Vanguard Award.
Snoop Dogg will helm the awards ceremony to be staged at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on 27 September.
The VMAs are an annual award show hosted by MTV to celebrate the year’s best music videos and pop culture moments. Additional performers, presenters and special guests will be revealed in the coming week.
