MTV names country nominees for 2026 Video Music Awards

For years, the MTV Video Music Awards didn’t want to create a category just for country music until they created one a year ago, since country music continues to rule the charts daily and weekly.

Somehow, no one is nominated for the for the biggest award, Video of the Year. Morgan Wallen has landed in what is arguably the next best thing. He’s up for Artist of the Year, and given the fact that he is currently at No. 2 on Billboard’s Artist 100 list, he has a fairly good good chance at winning. Wallen is also up for Album of the Year for “I’m the Problem.”

Ella Langley’s hit, “Choosin Texas,” is up for Song of the Year since it’s been one of the most played songs this year. The music video has earned over 70 million views.

Country music’s new rising star, Shaboozey, is up for Best Cinematography, and Stella Lefty has received her first nomination for New Artist of the year.

Shaboozey’s music video for his song “Cowgirl” is up for Best Cinematography, and country newcomer Stella Lefty received her first-ever nomination at the awards show.

The MTV Video Music Awards also handout hardware for specific genres, and this year’s Best Country list is loaded with some of the biggest names in the country scene right now.

Here are the country-specific nods:

Ella Langely, “Choosin’ Texas”
Kacey Musgraves, “Dry Spell”
Lainey Wilson, “Somewhere Over Laredo”
Luke Combs, “Back in the Saddle”
Shaboozey, “Cowgirl”
Stella Lefty, “Boston”
Tucker Wetmore, “Brunette”

The VMAs will air on CBS  and will simulcast on MTV and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET.