VMAs 2026 Nominations: Madonna Leads With 11, Will Ferrell's Son Up for Best New Artist
MTV unveiled the nominations for this year's Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Madonna leads all nominees with 11 nods, the most of any artist this year. The ceremony itself is set for September, though MTV has not yet confirmed an exact date or location.
What was announced
According to Stereogum, the most talked-about category this cycle is Best New Artist, where the nominee list includes the son of comedian Will Ferrell. The appearance of a celebrity offspring in a mainstream music nomination has made the category the subject of more conversation than most of the technical and visual awards categories combined.
Key details
- Nominations announced: August 18, 2026 (Tuesday)
- Most nominations: Madonna, with 11
- Ceremony: September 2026 — exact date and venue not yet announced
- Category to watch: Best New Artist
Why Madonna's tally matters
Madonna's 11 nominations extend her long-running presence within the MTV ecosystem, an association that dates back to the VMAs' first ceremony in 1984 and has been closely tied to her work as a video artist throughout her career.
What we don't know yet
MTV has not yet released the full nominee list across all categories, and the exact ceremony date and venue remain unconfirmed as of this report.