Madonna opened the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with a performance alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, revisiting songs from her catalogue. It was her fifth time opening the ceremony, setting a new record and moving ahead of Rihanna, who had opened it four times.

The article places the performance in the context of Madonna’s five-decade career and her return with *Confessions II*, her first studio album in seven years. It says the album reached No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and US Top Dance Albums charts, as well as charts in Germany, the UK, Austria and Australia. Madonna also led the VMAs’ nominations, including in the Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Dance categories.