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Taylor Swift is about to set another record

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Taylor Swift is set to stand alone as the most-awarded artist in MTV Video Music Awards history when the 2026 VMAs are held Sunday night in Los Angeles.

Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, an award recognizing artists whose work behind the camera has advanced music videos and visual storytelling.

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The honor will give Swift her 31st VMA, breaking her tie with Beyoncé. Each currently has 30 awards. Eminem holds the record among male artists with 15.

Swift could add to that total Sunday. She enters the ceremony with nine nominations, second only to Madonna, who leads the field with 11. Madonna and Swift are both nominated for artist of the year, along with Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter and Morgan Wallen.

The two-hour awards show will air live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles beginning at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Sunday, Sept. 27, on CBS. It will also be simulcast on MTV and streamed in the United States on Paramount+.

Snoop Dogg will host the ceremony.

Madonna is scheduled to open the show, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years. Other scheduled performers include GENER8ION with Yung Lean, Shaboozey with Gunna, LISA, Raye and Sienna Spiro.

Nirvana will receive this year’s Video Vanguard Award, joining a list of previous recipients that includes Beyoncé, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Shakira, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Lopez, Missy Elliott and Katy Perry.

The 2026 awards also include 26 first-time nominees. The best dance category returns after a seven-year absence.

Fan voting in 13 categories, which began in August, continues through 6 p.m. Eastern Friday.

Source: Variety

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