For the first time in 23 years, Madonna will actually perform at the VMAs.
The pop icon has had a presence at the show since its very first broadcast in 1984, when she famously performed Like a Virgin, but this year marks a rare return to the stage itself, with Madonna set to open the ceremony on September 27 — echoing her opening slot back in 2003.
The performance ties into her newest album, “Confessions II,” a follow-up to 2005’s “Confessions on a Dance Floor,” which she’s been promoting through a series of themed parties in the lead-up to release.
Details on the rest of the night’s lineup are expected next week.
This year’s VMAs already made headlines after MTV named Nirvana as recipients of the Video Vanguard Award, breaking a 10-year streak of women receiving the honour. Madonna herself made history in that category back in 1986, becoming the first woman ever to win it.
She also leads this year’s nominations with 11 nods total, including Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, along with several nominations tied to her collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter, “Bring Your Love.” A win in any category would give her a first VMA victory in 27 years.
Her last significant VMA moment came in 2021, when she delivered a defiant, unforgettable speech about staying power in the industry. Performance or not, Madonna has remained a fixture of the show for more than four decades.
The 2026 VMAs air live from Los Angeles on September 27, broadcasting on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.
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