Madonna Opens 2026 MTV VMAs With Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX

Madonna launched the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a star-packed performance alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.

The Queen of Pop opened Sunday night’s ceremony with her first VMAs performance in 23 years. She took the stage after the event was pushed back because of the Baltimore Ravens-Dallas Cowboys game.

Carpenter appeared alongside Madonna early in the set for “Bring Your Love,” their house-pop collaboration from Madonna’s newest album, “Confessions II.”

The two performers energized the audience with the dancefloor anthem before Charli XCX unexpectedly joined them for a rendition of her remix of Madonna’s “Danceteria.”

Seth Rogen, Sombr and Julia Garner also appeared during Madonna’s opening performance. Garner had previously been associated with the role of Madonna in a biopic focused on the singer’s life and career.

The appearance represented a significant return to the VMAs stage for Madonna, who has created some of the ceremony’s most memorable performances throughout the years.

Her energetic opening performance officially launched the night’s festivities after viewers were forced to wait longer than planned for the broadcast to start.

Snoop Dogg is serving as host of this year’s VMAs, which made its return to the West Coast for the first time in almost a decade.

Before the ceremony began, Taylor Swift was among the last major stars to walk the red carpet. She appeared in a black halter bodysuit styled with a sparkling silver draped skirt.

The 2026 MTV VMAs are broadcasting live Sunday night on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming availability on Paramount+.