All the 2026 VMAs Performances Ranked From Worst to Best

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards got off to a rough start – at least for those of us watching at home. While those in attendance at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (the show was held in L.A. thanks to host Snoop Dogg’s request/demand) witnessed a show that started on time, everyone elsewhere who tuned into CBS/MTV or Paramount+ at 7:30 p.m. ET saw either a Donnie Wahlberg-hosted trip down VMAs memory lane or the end of the NFL game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens, respectively. Due to the football game, the 2026 VMAs hit screens 22 minutes late, which was irritating and seemingly something that a little preplanning could have prevented before it became an issue.

Thankfully, the show started off strong with one of the most iconic MTV artists of all time (more on that below) bringing out a coterie of cameos for a one-two dancefloor punch. By the time the night was over, Madonna was the night’s big winner, taking home seven Moon Person trophies (three of them on the telecast). Taylor Swift was awarded the inaugural artist director honors, after which she premiered her self-directed “Patient Zero” music video (which is now on Spotify) and won the coveted video of the year trophy for “The Fate of Ophelia” video (which she also wrote and directed). Plus, the surviving members of Nirvana (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic and a cig-smoking Pat Smear) showed up for Nirvana to receive the MTV video vanguard award three decades after the death of frontman Kurt Cobain.

But which performances stood out? Who soared and who bored? Below is our ranking of the 2026 VMAs performances from least mode to beast mode.