Nirvana ends 23 years drought for MTV’s Video Vanguard Award
Iconic grunge trio Nirvana will be honoured with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, becoming the first band to receive the honour since Duran Duran in 2003.
MTV announced the award on 9 September, 34 years after the band made its VMA debut.
Nirvana won Best Alternative Video at the VMAs for three consecutive years, taking home the award for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1992, "In Bloom" in 1993 and "Heart-Shaped Box" in 1994. Both "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Heart-Shaped Box" also received nominations for Video of the Year.
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The band was formed by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl. Following Cobain's death in 1994, the surviving members have reunited occasionally for special performances, including at the 2025 FireAid benefit concert.
The 2026 VMAs will take place on 27 September at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles and will air live on CBS and MTV, with streaming available on Paramount+ in the US.
Nirvana will be the ninth band to receive the Video Vanguard Award, joining The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, R.E.M., Beastie Boys, U2 and Duran Duran.
