By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

Taylor Swift is set to receive a special new honor at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, just days before this year’s ceremony.

CBS and MTV announced Monday that Swift will be the first recipient of the MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a new award recognising musicians who have made significant contributions to music videos through their work behind the camera.

The award celebrates artists whose creative work has expanded the possibilities of music videos and contributed to visual storytelling.

According to the organisers, the honour also recognises artists who have built an influential body of work while developing a distinct directorial style and pushing creative boundaries.

Swift has already received nine nominations ahead of this year’s ceremony, including nominations for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year.

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 27, in Los Angeles.

The ceremony will air live from Los Angeles on CBS and will also be simulcast on MTV. Viewers will additionally be able to stream the awards show on Paramount+.

The annual event will bring together some of the biggest names in music as artists compete for the iconic MTV Moon Person trophies.

Other nominees include Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, GENER8ION, LISA, PinkPantheress, Sabrina Carpenter and Shakira.

Madonna leads the nominations with 11 nods. Her nominations include Song of the Year and Best Collaboration for “Bring Your Love,” a collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter.

She is also nominated for Video of the Year for “Confessions II – The Film,” as well as Artist of the Year and Best Dance.

The three-time VMA winner previously spoke about his connection with the ceremony, noting that MTV and the VMAs had played an important role throughout his career.

He also described hosting the event as a full-circle moment after having experienced some of his biggest career moments on the MTV stage.

Madonna is among the major performers scheduled for this year’s ceremony and will open the show.

The singer last performed at the awards in 2003, when she shared the stage with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Missy Elliott. The performance became one of the most memorable moments in the ceremony’s history.

Other performers scheduled for the 2026 VMAs include LISA, GENER8ION, RAYE, Shaboozey, Gunna and Sienna Spiro.

Rock band Nirvana will also be honoured during the ceremony with the Video Vanguard Award.

The group is being recognised nearly 35 years after its first performance at the VMAs. The award is presented to artists whose work has had a lasting impact on music videos and wider popular culture.

With Swift receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors, Madonna returning to the VMAs stage and Nirvana receiving the Video Vanguard Award, the 2026 ceremony is set to feature several major moments celebrating music and visual creativity.