Here Are the VMAs Records Set by Madonna & Taylor Swift With Big 2026 Wins

Madonna was the big winner at the 2026 MTV VMAs, which went down on Sunday (Sept. 27). Madonna won a total of seven awards, the most of any artist on the night. Madonna has now won 26 VMAs in competition, which puts her just behind Taylor Swift (32) and Beyoncé (29) on the all-time leaderboard.

BTS received three awards, which made them the night’s runners-up. Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande each won two awards. BTS and Grande were not present at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live in Los Angeles to receive their awards, though Madonna and Swift were very visible.

Madonna opened the show in what was her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years. It was her fifth time opening the show, which set a new VMAs record. (She had been tied with Rihanna with four show-openers each.)

In addition to her two wins in competitive categories, Swift received the inaugural VMA Artist Director honors. Also, the music video for Swift’s new single, “Patient Zero,” premiered at the awards. Swift directed the video, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

There were two tributes to late, great artists. Kacey Musgraves performed a tribute to Dolly Parton. RAYE, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert honored George Michael. In addition, Nirvana, which disbanded upon the suicide of lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain, received the video vanguard award.

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs aired live from Los Angeles on Sunday on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will also be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV. The VMAs were produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Van Toffler served as producer.

Here are some of the records that were set at the 2026 MTV VMAs.

• Taylor Swift Wins Video of the Year for the 6th Time

  Taylor Swift won video of the year for the sixth time, which is three times as often as anyone else in VMAs history. Beyoncé, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott and Rihanna each won the award twice.

  Swift also won the VMA for best direction for a record-extending fifth time, for “Opalite.” She had previously won for “The Man,” “All Too Well: The Short Film,” “Anti-Hero” and “Fortnight.” David Fincher is runner-up for most wins in the category (three).

  Swift also received the inaugural VMA Artist Director honor. In addition, the music video for Swift’s new single, “Patient Zero,” premiered at the awards. Swift directed the video, which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.

  Swift has written and directed 18 of the 60 music videos she has made to date.

• Madonna Wins Artist of the Year

  Madonna took artist of the year, an award that was first presented in 2017. At 68, Madonna is the oldest recipient of the award. All of the previous recipients were in their 20s or 30s. Camila Cabello, who was 21 in 2018 when she took the award, was the youngest.

• Madonna & Sabrina Win Best Collaboration

  Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter took the award for best collaboration for “Bring Your Love.” This was the sixth all-female collab to win in the category, following Beyoncé and Shakira’s “Beautiful Liar” (2007), Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé’s “Telephone” (2010), Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande’s “Rain on Me” (2020), Doja Cat feat. SZA’s Kiss Me More” (2021), and Karol G & Shakira’s “TQG” (2023).

• BTS Gets in the ‘Swim’

  BTS won song of the year, best K-Pop and best group video, all for “Swim,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.  It’s the second year in a row that the award for song of the year went to a K-pop artist. Rosé won last year for “APT.,” her collab with Bruno Mars.

  This is the fourth time BTS has won best K-Pop and the fifth time they have won best group video. This allows BTS to break out of a tie with LISA for most wins for best K-pop. No other group, from any genre, has won best group five times. No Doubt comes closest, with three wins in the category.

• Sienna Spiro Wins Best New Artist

  Sienna Spiro won the best new artist award. Spiro is the first English artist to win in the category since the English/Irish boy band One Direction won in 2012.

  Spiro has a good chance of also winning best new artist at the Grammys. If she does, she’ll become the sixth act to double up and win best new artist at both shows, following Hootie & the Blowfish, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo.

• Ariana Grande Wins Song of Summer for the 2nd Time

  Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me” won song of summer. She had won in that category in 2019 with “Boyfriend,” a collab with Social House. Grande is just the second artist to take that title twice. Jung Kook won in 2023 with “Seven “ (feat. Latto). He also won as a member of BTS in 2021 with “Butter.”

• Nirvana Takes Video Vanguard Award

  Nirvana became the first group or duo in 23 years to receive the Video Vanguard award – since Duran Duran took the award in 2003. They’re the first group to receive it after they had disbanded since The Beatles at the inaugural VMAs in 1964. The award was presented by Chuck D   the leader and frontman of Public Enemy.