Okay, the 2026 MTV VMAs already had my attention, but this just pushed it into full you absolutely have to watch the opening territory.
Madonna is officially opening the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Yes. Madonna. Opening the VMAs. Again.
MTV’s biggest night is happening Sunday, September 27, live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, and Madonna is kicking off the show with her first VMA performance in 23 years.
For anyone who remembers the 2003 VMAs — aka the Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera opening that immediately became pop-culture history — that little “23 years” detail is doing a LOT of work here.
And Sabrina Carpenter Is Basically Everywhere Tonight
Sabrina Carpenter isn’t currently listed as one of the announced opening performers, so I am not going to pretend MTV confirmed a Madonna/Sabrina opening duet when it didn’t.
But Sabrina is absolutely woven into this year’s show.
She is nominated in some of the night’s biggest categories, including Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, and she and Madonna are both part of the very crowded pop conversation heading into the ceremony.
There is also a particularly fun connection between the two: Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter’s “Bring Your Love” is nominated at the 2026 VMAs, including in the collaboration field.
So if you were already imagining some kind of chaotic pop-queen-meets-pop-princess moment tonight, you are not alone. Just know that, as of right now, Madonna is the confirmed opener and a Sabrina appearance in that opening has not been officially announced.
Madonna’s VMA Return Is Kind of a Huge Deal
Madonna has one of the most legendary histories with the VMAs, which makes putting her back at the very beginning of the show feel extremely intentional.
Her last VMA performance was in 2003, when she opened the ceremony with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Now she is returning to the VMA stage more than two decades later and doing it in the opening slot again.
That is exactly the kind of full-circle pop-culture nonsense I want from an awards show.
When Are the 2026 VMAs?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air Sunday, September 27, beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT, with Snoop Dogg hosting.
The show airs on CBS and MTV, with streaming availability through Paramount+ depending on your plan and location.
And yes, I will now be watching the opening way more closely than I was five minutes ago.
Because if Madonna is opening the VMAs after 23 years away from that stage, there is absolutely no chance she is walking out there quietly.
