MTV VMAs 2026 have scrapped the ‘Best Rock’ category after 37 years

The category is not included in the upcoming 2026 awards, with nominations announced on Wednesday (August 19).

It has been replaced by ‘Best Alternative’, which this year includes nods to Geese, Tame Impala, Olivia Rodrigo, Sombr, Noah Kahan and more.

Rock music was first recognised at the VMAS in 1989, when the ‘Best Heavy Metal Video’ category was introduced. It later evolved to ‘Best Metal/Hard Rock Video’ and ‘Best Hard Rock Video’ before officially becoming ‘Best Rock Video’ in 1997, and evolving to just ‘Best Rock’ in recent years.

The change comes just one year after the VMAs honoured the late Ozzy Osbourne with a musical tribute by Yungblud and Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry.

This year’s ceremony is due to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday September 27. It’ll be broadcast live, airing simultaneously on CBS, MTV and Paramount.

Madonna is leading the way with 11 nods, including Video Of The Year for the star-studded Confessions II – The Film – which accompanied her acclaimed latest studio album.

Madonna is also in the running for Artist Of The Year, as well as Song Of The Year for her ‘Confessions II’ single ‘Bring Your Love’ with Sabrina Carpenter. The joint track is up for Best Collaboration, too.

Confessions II – The Film completes the star’s nominations by featuring in the following categories: Best Dance, Best Direction, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Best Visual Effects.

Taylor Swift follows with nine appearances, including Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year for ‘The Fate Of Ophelia’. The single is nominated for numerous other awards, while the video for ‘Opalite’ is vying for Best Direction.

Other acts in the running for Artist Of The Year include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Sabrina Carpenter. The Song Of The Year category also features BTS (‘Swim’), Olivia Dean (‘Man I Need’), Raye (‘Where Is My Husband!)’ and more.

Elsewhere, Harry Styles has secured a nomination in the Best Dance list for his single ‘Aperture’. Charli XCX is up for two prizes – Best Pop and Best Art Direction – with ‘SS26’.

Should Swift take home just one prize, she will become the most-awarded artist at the VMAs ever. She currently ties with Beyoncé for having the most wins at the MTV VMAs, with each having 30 to their name.

Fan voting for the 2026 ceremony is open now here, and you can check out the nominations list in full here.

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