Overview
- Madonna will open the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Sept. 27, in her first live VMA performance since 2003.
- She leads the 2026 nominations with a career‑high 11 nods, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year.
- If she opens the show, it will be her fifth time doing so, which would put her ahead of Rihanna for the most VMA opening performances.
- The ceremony will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and air live on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streamed on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S.
- Organizers have partnered with Spotify as the official audio streaming partner and Madonna's Confessions II — which debuted at No. 1 and delivered her best streaming week — could influence awards‑season momentum into Grammy voting.