"Madonna to Open MTV VMAs for First Time in Two Decades"

Madonna will return to the MTV Video Music Awards stage for the first time in 23 years, MTV and CBS confirmed Wednesday.

The pop icon's comeback follows the release of her chart-topping album, Confessions II. Her most recent VMA performance dates back to 2003, when she joined Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera for a memorable collaboration that opened that year's ceremony.

This year, Madonna leads all performers with 11 nominations — a distinction she has held twice before, in 1990 and 1998. Trailing her in this year's nominations are Taylor Swift with nine, and Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande, who are tied at seven each. Over her career, Madonna has earned 19 VMA wins, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year.

Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 MTV VMAs, airing live on CBS with a simulcast on MTV. The ceremony takes place in Los Angeles on September 27 — marking the show's first return to the city in nearly a decade, since Katy Perry hosted at The Forum in 2017.

Gunpowder & Sky is producing the ceremony, with Van Toffler serving as producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski, and Bruce Gillmer will serve as executive producers alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Melanie Block will co-executive produce, with Gary Lanvy as co-producer. Snoop Dogg will also executive produce, joined by producers Sara Ramaker and Jasmin Ratansi, while Jen Proctor serves as executive talent producer.