Madonna is set to return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage for the first time in 23 years, MTV and CBS announced Wednesday.
The pop icon will headline the award show following the release of her chart-topping album Confessions on a Dance Floor. Her previous VMAs performance came in 2003, during an iconic collaboration with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera that opened that year’s ceremony.
Madonna leads this year’s nomination count with 11 awards — the most of any performer — marking the third time she has topped the nominations, having also done so in 1990 and 1998. Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, while Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande are tied with seven each. Madonna has accumulated 19 career VMAs wins, including video of the year, artist of the year, and song of the year.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the 2026 MTV VMAs will air on CBS and simulcast on MTV from Los Angeles on Sept. 27 — the first time the show has been held in the city in nearly a decade, with the last Los Angeles ceremony taking place in 2017, hosted by Katy Perry at The Forum.
The ceremony is produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler serves as producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski, and Bruce Gillmer are executive producers alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Melanie Block will co-executive produce, while Gary Lanvy serves as co-producer. Snoop Dogg will also executive produce alongside Sara Ramaker and Jasmin Ratansi. Jen Proctor serves as executive talent producer.
