MTV VMAs Red Carpet Gallery: See the Looks and Arrivals (Updating)

MTV has curated something for everyone with its 2026 VMAs — the ceremony will kick off Sunday at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles with a performance by Madonna, her first at the event since 2003, when a shared performance and kisses with Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears became the night’s biggest headline. Other anticipated moments this year include a tribute to Dolly Parton by Kasey Musgraves and a tribute to George Michael, performed by Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims.

Throw in Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande as nominees among the 23 award categories — and then hedge your bets by announcing in advance that Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors, likely awarded following the broadcast debut of her self-directed “Patient Zero” video — and it’s clear MTV is pulling out all the stops to ensure healthy ratings and viral moments alike.

The 2025 event enjoyed a 42-percent increase in ratings over the previous year, largely due to the show’s first-time simulcast across CBS, MTV and Paramount+. But the 2026 VMAs indeed seem like they’re destined to top last year’s ratings, as they’re jam-packed with superstars that span a wide range of music categories — or perhaps it was just a really terrific year for music videos? As just one example, Madonna’s release of her 14-minute “Confessions — The Film” is the reason she’s up for 11 trophies at the 2026 VMAs, including video of the year and artist of the year.

Swift follows close behind with nine nominations — including for video of the year and artist of the year for “The Fate of Ophelia.” That talley does not include her announced win of Artist Director Honors, which recognizes Swift’s work in “creating interconnected narratives, cinematic worlds and recurring details that invite audiences deeper into each project,” according to a statement released by MTV and CBS. Grande and Carpenter, meanwhile, arrive Sunday with seven nominations each, including best pop video and best direction, for which both are nominated.

Across the spectrum of the 2026 VMAs, 17 awards are voted on by fans, from song of the year to best new artist and song of the summer, while six “professional” categories are voted on by industry experts and include best cinematography, best direction and best choreography.

In addition to Swift’s prize, the only other trophy announced in advance is the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which this year goes to Nirvana. That honor was pointedly announced on September 9, on the 34th anniversary of the band’s groundbreaking performance at the 1992 VMAs. (Speaking of which, if you want to feel old, that iconic moment happened eight years after the inaugural MTV VMAs in 1984; this year’s event marks 43 years since the music-video network introduced its annual awards and its signature Moon Person trophy.)

Check out all the 2026 MTV VMAs arrivals here; The Hollywood Reporter will update the gallery throughout the evening.