VMAs 2026 winners list: Lisa awarded Best Pop and more
The VMAs 2026 winners list is updating live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, where Lisa has been awarded Best Pop for "Dream" featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi. Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the MTV Video Music Awards also honor Taylor Swift with the inaugural Artist-Director Award and Nirvana with the Video Vanguard Award.
Key Takeaways
- Lisa won Best Pop for “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi, per Variety’s live coverage of the night.
- The 2026 MTV VMAs are hosted by Snoop Dogg at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, the show’s first L.A. return since 2017.
- Taylor Swift receives the first Artist-Director Award; Nirvana is set for the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
- Major categories still list stacked nominees, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year contenders such as Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Sabrina Carpenter.
- The telecast includes Madonna’s first VMAs performance in more than two decades, plus a Dolly Parton tribute and the premiere of Swift’s “Patient Zero” video.
For fans tracking every trophy in real time, the Variety winners list remains the clearest scoreboard as results continue to roll in. Early confirmation that Lisa took Best Pop gives the night a clear headline while other races stay competitive.
That Best Pop field was stacked. Alongside Lisa’s “Dream,” nominees included Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Charli xcx’s “SS26,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drop Dead,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “House Tour,” Tate McRae’s “Nobody’s Girl,” and Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia.”
Who else is in the running at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
Beyond Best Pop, Variety’s updating rundown shows deep nominee lists across the night’s biggest awards. Video of the Year nominees include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, GENER8ION, Madonna, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift.
Artist of the Year names Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Madonna, Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift. Song of the Year spans BTS, Ella Langley, HUNTR/X, Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, and Raye.
Genre races are just as crowded. Best Hip-Hop nominees include Cardi B, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, and Travis Scott. Best K-Pop features Blackpink, BTS, Cortis, Katseye, LE SSERAFIM, and Lisa. Best Latin includes Anitta with Shakira, Bad Bunny, Karol G, Rosalía, and Shakira with Burna Boy.
Best New Artist nominees include Bella Kay, Cortis, Magnus Ferrell, Malcolm Todd, Myles Smith, Sienna Spiro, and Stella Lefty—fresh faces sharing the stage with established stars.
What special honors are being handed out tonight?
Two non-competitive honors frame the ceremony. Nirvana will receive the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, marking a major MTV milestone decades after the band’s early VMAs appearances. Taylor Swift will collect the inaugural Artist-Director Award, recognizing her work behind the camera as well as on the charts.
Those tributes sit alongside a performance-heavy lineup. According to Variety’s red carpet coverage, Madonna is set for her first VMAs performance in more than two decades. Kacey Musgraves will lead a Dolly Parton tribute, while Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims honor George Michael.
Lisa is also scheduled to debut her new single “SaWaDiKa” on television. Raye and Sienna Spiro make their VMAs stage debuts, Shaboozey performs “Cowgirl” and joins Gunna on “High Noon,” and GENER8ION with Yung Lean premiere “STORM II.”
Where can you watch the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air live Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Red carpet arrivals already featured Taylor Swift, Lisa, Raye, and a long list of nominees and performers.
As trophies keep landing, bookmark Streaming & TV Alerts on BlasterPost for fast updates on awards shows, live specials, and where to stream the biggest music nights. For the authoritative, updating tally of nominees and winners, stick with Variety’s live VMAs report.