Madonna is heading back to the MTV Video Music Awards, and she is opening the show.
The pop icon will kick off the 2026 VMAs on September 27 in Los Angeles, marking her first live performance at the awards since 2003. CBS and MTV announced the news on Wednesday.
Madonna last opened the VMAs 23 years ago alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in one of the show’s most talked-about performances. This time, she will perform music from her latest album, “Confessions II.”
The comeback arrives during a huge VMA year for Madonna. She leads all nominees with 11 nods, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for “Confessions II – The Film” and Song of the Year for “Bring Your Love,” her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter.
She also enters the ceremony with 19 competitive VMA wins and could add more to that total on the night.
Madonna has been part of the VMAs from the beginning. She performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural ceremony in 1984, returned with “Express Yourself” in 1989 and delivered her famous “Vogue” performance the following year.
Her 2003 appearance became another defining VMA moment after she shared the stage with Spears and Aguilera.
Now, after more than two decades away from the show’s performance stage, Madonna will once again have the opening spotlight.
The 2026 VMAs will feature Snoop Dogg as host and will air live from Los Angeles on September 27 on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+.