Madonna is heading back to one of the stages she helped make legendary.
CBS and MTV announced that Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first performance at the VMAs in 23 years. The ceremony airs live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27th.
The landmark performance, presented in partnership with Spotify, brings Madonna back to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2003, when she opened the ceremony alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in a performance that quickly became one of the show’s most talked-about moments.
Her return comes following the release of her new album, Confessions II, and as she enters the 2026 ceremony as the night’s leading nominee. Madonna received a career-high 11 nominations, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. She has previously earned 19 competitive VMAs.
This is also the third time Madonna has led the VMAs nominations. She received nine nominations for “Vogue” in 1990 and nine more for “Ray of Light” and “Frozen” in 1998.
Few artists are as closely connected to the history of the VMAs as Madonna. Her performance of “Like a Virgin” during the inaugural ceremony in 1984 became one of the defining images of the show’s early years. Two years later, she became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award.
Her other memorable VMAs performances have included “Express Yourself” in 1989, the elaborate 18th-century-inspired presentation of “Vogue” in 1990 and “Bye Bye Baby” in 1993.
Spotify’s partnership with the VMAs will extend Madonna’s appearance beyond the broadcast, connecting viewers with her music following the performance and offering exclusive content that includes archival footage from previous VMAs appearances.
Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 VMAs, which will also be available globally the following day through Paramount+ and MTV.
Additional performers, presenters and special guests are expected to be announced ahead of the ceremony.
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 27th at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ Premium in the U.S.
