Madonna is set to open the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, returning to perform at the ceremony for the first time in 23 years. Multiple outlets report that she will take the stage as the opening performer for the show, marking a major comeback moment for the pop icon. Billboard also notes this is her fifth time opening the VMAs, a record that highlights her long history with the awards.
The reports also align on the broader VMAs context: Madonna arrives as a leading figure for the night, with coverage citing her status as the most-nominated artist and specifically mentioning 11 nominations across 11 categories. Deadline adds that the announcement comes as she follows the release of her album Confessions II, which it says debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. While the outlets differ slightly in emphasis—on her nomination count versus her album and timing—they consistently describe her scheduled opening performance and the 23-year gap.
