Madonna to Open 2026 VMAs After 23-Year Hiatus

Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, marking her first performance at the show in 23 years. The pop icon leads all artists with 11 nominations, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Bring Your Love". The ceremony, hosted by Snoop Dogg, is scheduled to air live from Los Angeles on September 27, 2026, on CBS and simulcast on MTV. This performance comes after the release of Madonna's album "Confessions II", which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in July. Her last VMA performance was in 2003, where she opened the show with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, performing "Like a Virgin" and "Hollywood". That moment remains one of the most iconic in VMA history, featuring a now-famous kiss between the artists. Madonna has a long history with the VMAs, having first performed at the inaugural show in 1984 with "Like a Virgin", a performance that became a groundbreaking moment in pop culture. She has won 19 career VMA awards and was the first solo female artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award in 1986.