MTV VMAs 2026 have scrapped the ‘Best Rock’ category after 37 years

[THE LONG-AWAIT ENDED: MTV VMAs 2026 DROP THE “Best Rock” CATEGORY AFTER 37 YEARS]
The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) have discontinued the ‘Best Rock’ category after 37 years.

The category is absent from the upcoming 2026 awards, with nominations announced on Wednesday (August 19).

It has been replaced by ‘Best Alternative’, which this year brings nominees such as Geese, Tame Impala, Olivia Rodrigo, Sombr, Noah Kahan and others.

Rock music received its first recognition at the VMAs in 1989, when the ‘Best Heavy Metal Video’ category was launched. It subsequently evolved into ‘Best Metal/Hard Rock Video’ and then ‘Best Hard Rock Video’ before officially becoming ‘Best Rock Video’ in 1997, and finally streamlining to just ‘Best Rock’ in recent years.

This shift occurs just one year after the VMAs honored the late Ozzy Osbourne with a special musical tribute performed by Yungblud and Aerosmith members Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

The ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, September 27. It will be televised live, airing simultaneously on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.

Madonna leads with eleven nominations, including Video Of The Year for the star-studded Confessions II – The Film, accompanying her acclaimed latest studio album.

Madonna is entering the fray for Artist Of The Year, as well as Song Of The Year for her collaboration ‘Bring Your Love’ with Sabrina Carpenter. That joint track is also a candidate for Best Collaboration.

Confessions II – The Film completes the star’s nomination slate by earning spots in the following categories: Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

Taylor Swift follows with nine nominations, covering Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year for ‘The Fate Of Ophelia’. Her single is competing against numerous other awards, while the ‘Opalite’ video is vying for Best Direction.

Other contenders for Artist of the Year include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and Sabrina Carpenter. The Song of the Year category also features BTS (“Swim”), Olivia Dean (“Man I Need”), Raye (“Where Is My Husband!”) and more.

Additionally, Harry Styles has secured a nomination in the Best Dance list for his single ‘AperATURE’. Charli XCX is positioned to win two awards – Best Pop and Best Art Direction – with her track ‘SS26’.

The newly created Best Alternative category features Geese, Tame Impala, Olivia Rodrigo, Sombr, Noah Kahan, and similar acts.

Should Swift secure just one victory, she would become the most awarded artist in VMA history. She currently ties with Beyoncé for the record of most wins at the MTV VMAs, with each holding thirty victories to their name.

Fan voting for the 2026 ceremony is now open, and the full list of nominations can be reviewed here.

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