MTV VMAs 2026: Key moments, performances and surprises from the night
The MTV VMAs 2026 brought Taylor Swift, Madonna, Lisa and other major performers to Los Angeles, alongside tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael.
Held at the Peacock Theatre on Sunday, the ceremony marked the VMAs’ first return to the West Coast since 2017.
The broadcast included several notable performances and moments, although the show was delayed by more than 20 minutes after an NFL game ran over.
Madonna opened the ceremony with Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, marking her first live VMA performance in 23 years. She later collected awards including Artist of the Year and Best Dance.
Taylor Swift also had a significant night. She debuted the music video for “Patient Zero” after receiving the first-ever Artist Director Honors award.
She later dedicated her Video of the Year award for “The Fate of Ophelia” to Dolly Parton, calling her “the ultimate showgirl”.
Kacey Musgraves performed Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” during a tribute to the late country music star.
The ceremony also honoured George Michael, with Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims and Adam Lambert performing his music.
Nirvana received the Video Vanguard Award, with Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear accepting on behalf of the band.
The ceremony also featured Snoop Dogg as host, with a limited number of celebrity audience cutaways during the live broadcast.
Swift closed the evening by saying, “We were all very, very lucky to share this planet with Dolly Parton for a time.”
