Madonna Returns to the VMA Stage — First Time in 23 Years 🎤 The Queen of Pop is back. Madonna will open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards at Peacock Theater in Downtown LA — her first live VMA performance since 2003, when she stunned audiences alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott. That 2003 opening became one of the most talked, about moments in VMA history, Madonna’s on-stage kisses with Britney and Christina sparked headlines and controversy for weeks, cementing it as a defining pop culture moment of the decade. And she’s earning her spot at center stage this time too: Madonna leads this year’s nominations with 11 nods, more than any other artist, ahead of Taylor Swift’s 9. Most of that haul comes from her project “Confessions II – The Film,” up for Video of the Year, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, and more. It’s her biggest nomination year since 1998, when “Ray of Light” took home Video of the Year. 📅 Sunday, September 27 🕓 4:30 PM PT 📍 Peacock ...