Madonna, Swift Lead VMAs as “Golden” Nabs Song of the Year Nod

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are shaping up to be a showdown between two of music’s biggest icons. Madonna leads the pack with 11 nominations, followed closely by Taylor Swift with 9 nods, setting the stage for a potential tie for the most-awarded artist in VMA history.

The Song of the Year category features a diverse mix of artists and sounds. Among the nominees is “Golden” by HUNTR/X, a track that has already proven its award-winning pedigree after taking home the same trophy at the 2026 American Music Awards.

The full list of nominees in this category includes a cross-section of pop, hip-hop, and viral hits. Artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Morgan Wallen, and Kehlani all have a shot at the prize, alongside breakout newcomers and established stars alike.

The nominations place Madonna and Swift on a direct collision course. Madonna, who first won a VMA in 1986 and became the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award that same year, is nominated across a staggering 11 categories, including Video, Artist, and Song of the Year.

Swift, who is just one win away from becoming the most-awarded artist in VMA history, could surpass both Madonna and Beyoncé, who are tied with 30 wins each. Her nomination for Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” puts her in direct competition with Madonna’s “Confessions II, The Film” and Ariana Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me”.

The two-hour show will air live on Sunday, Sept. 27, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. It will be broadcast on CBS and simulcast on MTV, with streaming available on Paramount+ in the U.S.. The ceremony will also feature 26 first-time nominees, including GENER8ION and Yung Lean, who received three nods for their collaboration “Storm”. The Best Dance category is also making its return for the first time in seven years.