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2026 MTV VMAs highlights and performances

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards featured tributes, awards and broadcast delays tied to sports.

7 stories254 sourcesUpdated Sep 28, 2026

In this storyline:Taylor Swift George Michael Dolly Parton Dave Grohl Charli XCX Snoop Dogg Kurt Cobain

2026 MTV VMAs highlights and performances — Photo: iHeartRadioCA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

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total articles across this storyline · last 72h

709

articles now

709

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+336%

vs. first half

Sep 28, 2 AMdots mark key developments · hover for any hourSep 29, 12 AM

Key developments

Sep 28, 2026
The 2026 MTV VMAs broadcast started 20-22 minutes late after the Ravens beat the Cowboys 34-31.
11 sources on this →
Sep 28, 2026
RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims honored George Michael at the 2026 MTV VMAs with performances of his hits.
24 sources on this →
Sep 28, 2026
Grohl, Novoselic and Smear accepted MTV's Video Vanguard Award from Chuck D on Sept. 27, 2026.
20 sources on this →
Sep 28, 2026
Taylor Swift dedicates her sixth Video of the Year win to Dolly Parton.
7 sources on this →

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Stories in this storyline

Entertainment

Taylor Swift Becomes VMAs’ Most-Awarded Artist

Taylor Swift is expected to attend the Sept. 27 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles rather than the Chiefs’ game against the Dolphins in Miami. She is scheduled to debut a new music video and receive the inaugural Artist Director Honors.

168 sources

Entertainment

Snoop Dogg Jokes About Madonna at 2026 VMAs

Snoop Dogg opened the 2026 VMAs joking Madonna "ain’t a virgin no more" after her set; she won Artist of the Year in the show’s L.A. return.

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Beijing Canal Arts Fest opens with global performances

The fourth Beijing International Canal Arts Fest opened in Tongzhou on Sept. 24, bringing artists from 13 countries together for performances, cultural activities and canal-themed tours. Organizers cast the festival as a way to promote international exchange and tourism while preserving the Grand Canal as living heritage.

7 sources

Entertainment

Taylor Swift Dedicates Record VMA Win to Parton

Taylor Swift dedicated her sixth Video of the Year win for "The Fate of Ophelia" to Dolly Parton, the "ultimate showgirl," reaching a record 32 VMAs.

16 sources

Entertainment

Ravens-Cowboys Game Delays MTV VMAs Broadcast

The 2026 MTV VMAs broadcast started 20-22 minutes late after the Ravens beat the Cowboys 34-31; home viewers missed Madonna’s opening that the L.A. theater saw on time.

11 sources

Entertainment

VMAs Honor George Michael With Star-Studded Tribute

RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims honored George Michael at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with performances of his hits, including “Faith,” “Father Figure,” “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” and “Careless Whisper.” Adam Lambert made a surprise appearance to lead “Freedom! ’90,” celebrating Michael’s lasting influence and his history with the VMAs.

24 sources

Entertainment

Nirvana Members Reunite, Accept MTV Vanguard Award

Grohl, Novoselic and Smear accepted MTV's Video Vanguard Award from Chuck D on Sept. 27, 2026 in Los Angeles; Novoselic called Cobain "one of one" as Smear lit a cigarette. The band did not perform.

20 sources