The 2026 MTV VMAs delivered a string of memorable moments, with a lineup of major names from the music world taking part.
The 42nd edition of the MTV Video Music Awards was held in Los Angeles.
Snoop Dogg hosted the ceremony, while Madonna opened the night with a musical performance alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX. Debbie Mazar and Julia Garner also joined the performance, in one of the evening’s most talked-about segments.
The start of the 2026 MTV VMAs was delayed by about 21 minutes due to an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Dallas Cowboys running long on CBS.
Among the evening’s emotional highlights, Kacey Musgraves paid a musical tribute to Dolly Parton, performing “I Will Always Love You” in a heartfelt moment on stage.
The show also brought together the surviving members of Nirvana — Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear — who accepted the Video Vanguard Award more than three decades after the band’s first appearance at the VMAs.
In his speech, Novoselic paid tribute to the late singer Kurt Cobain, noting that Nirvana’s music continues to resonate because of its honesty and its ability to connect with different generations.
The ceremony also featured the premiere of Taylor Swift’s new music video for “Patient Zero,” capping a night packed with performances and surprises that underscored the MTV VMAs’ continued presence on the global music scene.
