LOS ANGELES — Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The appearance marked her first live performance at the ceremony in 23 years. Madonna said: “And they said we wouldn’t last. But we’re still here, motherf--kers.”

Snoop Dogg hosted the event, which was broadcast live on CBS and simulcast on MTV. The program was also made available globally on Paramount+ the day after the live airing. This ceremony marked the first time the awards were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles since 2017.

At the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna performed “Shanti/Ashtangi” wearing a black silk dress, gold jewelry, henna-painted hands, and a Vaishnava tilak forehead marking. She also accepted the Video of the Year award at the 1998 ceremony wearing a sequin top and lipstick-red python trousers from Alexander McQueen's fall 1998 “Joan” collection. In 1999, she wore a black button-down and trousers from Saint Laurent’s menswear collection by Hedi Slimane.

Madonna last performed at the VMAs more than two decades ago, when Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera joined her for their now-iconic 2003 opening performance. During that 2003 appearance, she wore a tailcoat and top hat over a black tank with a corseted waist, trousers, and mesh arm sleeves. She returned to the stage in 2018 wearing an Amazigh-inspired ensemble including a spiked silver headpiece, layers of traditional jewelry, and a printed robe over a long black dress.

Madonna appeared at MTV’s 40th anniversary show in 2021 wearing an Atsuko Kudo crop jacket, latex bra and corset, a Moschino leather apron, fishnets, and Christian Louboutin pumps. During that event, she told the crowd, And they said we wouldn’t last. But we’re still here, [profanity].

Other major honors were distributed during the 2026 broadcast. Taylor Swift received the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, becoming the most awarded artist in VMA history with 31 total awards. Nirvana received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, marking their first win in the category. Taylor Swift also debuted the music video for her single “Patient Zero” during the broadcast.

Why It Matters

Madonna’s return to the opening slot extends a decades-long pattern of high-profile ceremonial appearances that have often defined the cultural tone of the awards. By securing her fifth opening performance, she surpassed the previous record held by Rihanna, reinforcing her status as a central figure in the ceremony's history. The 13 nominations she received in 2026 made her the most nominated artist of the night, indicating continued commercial and critical relevance across multiple categories.

The event itself represented a shift in venue and distribution for the franchise. Holding the ceremony at the Peacock Theater for the first time since 2017 altered the physical setting for the broadcast. The simultaneous live transmission on CBS and MTV, along with next-day global availability on Paramount+, expanded the potential audience beyond the traditional cable music channel demographic. These structural changes accompanied the recognition of other legacy acts, such as Nirvana, and contemporary leaders like Taylor Swift, illustrating the ceremony's effort to bridge generational gaps in music video consumption.

Timeline

On September 14, 1984, Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards. During her 1984 VMA performance, Madonna wore a sheer white lace tulle bustier and skirt, a bridal veil, and a belt reading “Boy Toy.” On September 6, 1990, Madonna performed “Vogue” at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards. During that 1990 VMA performance, Madonna wore an ivory gown with a corset, hip-widening panniers, ribbons, bows, and a tall blond wig adorned with white feathers.

On September 2, 1993, Madonna performed “Bye Bye Baby” to open the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards. During her 1993 VMA performance, Madonna wore a tuxedo with tails, a crisp white shirt, cummerbund, tie, and a black top hat. On September 8, 1994, Madonna wore a pale seafoam Atelier Versace haute couture minidress with a crystal-studded bodice and flouncy skirt at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. On September 7, 1995, Madonna wore a blue satin shirt unbuttoned over a black bra, with black trousers, at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.

What's New

Additional reporting confirms that Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards for her first live performance at the show in 23 years. This appearance marks a record-breaking fifth time opening the ceremony, surpassing Rihanna's previous record of four openings. In 2026, Madonna received 13 nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards, making her the most nominated artist of the night.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking the first time the ceremony was held at that venue since 2017. Historical context notes that Madonna previously opened the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards with her iconic performance of 'Like a Virgin,' which included a wedding dress and a belt reading 'Boy Toy.' Further background indicates that Madonna’s 1990 'Vogue' performance at the MTV Video Music Awards was inspired by the French Revolution and featured an 18th-century-inspired costume including powdered wigs and corseted gowns.

How Sources Differ

Sources present different details regarding Madonna's participation and attire across various years. The MTV Video Music Awards 1998 archive states that Madonna accepted the Video of the Year award at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a sequin top and lipstick-red python trousers from Alexander McQueen's fall 1998 “Joan” collection, while the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list notes that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 run of show reports that Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance, whereas the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list focuses on her receiving 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV Video Music Awards 1984 archive documents that Madonna performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards in 1984, while the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list shows that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

The MTV Video Music Awards 1990 archive records that Madonna performed “Vogue” at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, while the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list states that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV Video Music Awards 1993 archive notes that Madonna performed “Bye Bye Baby” to open the 1993 MTV Video Music Awards, while the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list indicates that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.

The MTV Video Music Awards 1998 archive describes Madonna performing “Shanti/Ashtangi” at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards wearing a black silk dress, gold jewelry, henna-painted hands, and a Vaishnava tilak forehead marking, while the MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list reports that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list states that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, while the MTV Video Music Awards 1994 archive details that Madonna wore a pale seafoam Atelier Versace haute couture minidress with a crystal-studded bodice and flouncy skirt at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards.

The MTV Video Music Awards 2026 nominations list reports that Madonna received 13 nominations for the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, while the MTV Video Music Awards 1995 archive states that Madonna wore a blue satin shirt unbuttoned over a black bra, with black trousers, at the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards.