Madonna Opens 2026 MTV VMAs in First Performance Since 2003

Madonna opened the 2026 MTV VMAs at Los Angeles' Peacock Theater in her first ceremony performance since 2003, leading all artists with 13 nominations as Nirvana accepts the Video Vanguard Award.

By Elena Vasquez

September 28, 20262 min read

MTV VMAs 2026 Performers List: See the Full Lineup HereAI-generated

Programme

Madonna opened the 2026 MTV VMAs at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, her first VMAs performance since 2003; she leads all nominees with 13 nods.
Nirvana receives the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, with surviving members Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear expected to appear.
LISA becomes the first K-pop artist to perform at the MTV VMAs as a solo act, presenting "Sawadika" with four nominations including Best Pop for "Dream".

Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards tonight at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, performing at the ceremony for the first time since 2003. Snoop Dogg hosts the ceremony.

Madonna enters the night as the most-nominated artist, with 13 total nods. Her return to the VMAs stage ends a two-decade absence from the broadcast.

Nirvana Receives the Video Vanguard Award

The Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award goes to Nirvana this year. The band's surviving members — Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, and Pat Smear — are expected to appear, with the source noting that special guests handling the late Kurt Cobain's vocals are "not unlikely."

Tributes to Dolly Parton and George Michael

Kacey Musgraves will lead a tribute to the late Dolly Parton. After a run of pop-leaning albums, Musgraves has returned to country material, and she competes for Best Country tonight with "Dry Spell."

The late George Michael receives a multi-artist tribute featuring Sombr, RAYE, and Teddy Swims. Sombr carries three nominations into the evening; RAYE has two.

LISA Makes K-pop History

LISA, of Blackpink, becomes the first K-pop artist to perform at the MTV VMAs as a solo act. She marks the occasion with "Sawadika" and holds four nominations this year, including Best Pop for "Dream."

Yung Lean and Gener8ion Bring "Storm" to the Stage

Swedish rapper Yung Lean performs his viral Gener8ion collaboration "Storm" live, with the producer joining him onstage. The two earned four nominations tied to the track.

Gener8ion is the electronic project of French producer Benoit Heitz, best known under his stage name Surkin. The project reached a wide audience this year when "Storm," featuring Yung Lean, went viral for its video.

Gunna and Shaboozey

YSL rapper Gunna is expected to share the stage with Shaboozey to perform "High Noon," his sole appearance of the evening. Shaboozey will first sing his original song "Cowgirl," which earned him two nominations: Best Cinematography and Best Country.