Madonna performed at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on September 28, marking her first VMA performance in 23 years. The opening act featured dancers in acroyoga poses with laser effects, followed by Madonna seated at a piano with Sabrina Carpenter, who wore a black beret and played keys while facing away from the audience.
The pair performed “Bring Your Love,” then transitioned into “Danceteria Afterhours,” a newly released collaboration between Madonna and Charli XCX. Charli XCX entered from a bathroom stall set piece to join Madonna for the track, produced by Stuart Price. The performance included dancers and visual elements emphasizing what both artists have centered in their recent work.
Actress Julia Garner also appeared during the number. “Danceteria Afterhours” arrived days before the VMAs and marks Madonna and Charli XCX’s first official musical collaboration, reworking Madonna’s “Danceteria” with Charli adding a verse to the Confessions II song.
Madonna’s last VMA performance was in 2003, when she opened the ceremony alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Missy Elliott. Her history with the awards show dates to 1984, when she performed “Like a Virgin” at the inaugural ceremony.
See Charli XCX live
Upcoming Charli XCX events with tickets available:
- Sep 28, 2026 — Capital One Arena, Washington, District Of Columbia · Get tickets
- Oct 6, 2026 — State Farm Arena – GA, Atlanta, Georgia · Get tickets
- Oct 14, 2026 — Viejas Arena At Aztec Bowl, San Diego, California · Get tickets
- Oct 17, 2026 — The Kia Forum, Inglewood, California · Get tickets
- Oct 18, 2026 — The Kia Forum, Inglewood, California · Get tickets
Tickets are sold by GetUrTix. Code GTIX20 takes 20% off the ticket price at checkout — no minimum, no expiry.
Source: Consequence
