MTV VMAs 2026 Drops "Best Rock" After 37 Years
MTV announced its 2026 Video Music Awards nominations on Wednesday, August 19, and for the first time in 37 years, there is no rock category. "Best Rock" has been replaced by a new "Best Alternative" category, nominating Geese, Tame Impala, Olivia Rodrigo, Sombr, and Noah Kahan. Per NME, the ceremony airs Sunday, September 27, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, simulcast on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
37 years of a rock category, gone
MTV first honored rock music at the 1989 VMAs under the name "Best Heavy Metal Video." The category was later renamed "Best Metal/Hard Rock Video," then "Best Hard Rock Video," before settling on "Best Rock Video" in 1997 and eventually just "Best Rock."
The cut comes just a year after the 2025 VMAs featured Yungblud joining Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry for a tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne.
Who's leading the nominations
Madonna tops the field with 11 nominations, including Video of the Year (for "Confessions II – The Film") and Artist of the Year, plus Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for "Bring Your Love" with Sabrina Carpenter. "Confessions II – The Film" also picked up nods for Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography, and Best Visual Effects.
Taylor Swift follows with 9 nominations, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year for "The Fate Of Ophelia," with "Opalite" up for Best Direction. Swift is currently tied with Beyoncé for most VMA wins ever, at 30 apiece — one more win this year would make her the outright record holder.
Other Artist of the Year nominees include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, and Sabrina Carpenter. Song of the Year nominees also include BTS's "Swim," Olivia Dean's "Man I Need," and Raye's "Where Is My Husband!" Harry Styles is nominated for Best Dance with "Aperture," while Charli XCX picked up Best Pop and Best Art Direction nods for "SS26." Fan voting is now open.
Ceremony details
- Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Venue: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Broadcast: simulcast on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+
- Nominations announced: Wednesday, August 19, 2026