Nirvana are set to receive the Video Vanguard Award at the 2026 MTV VMAs, airing live from Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27. Emerging from the late 1980s Pacific Northwest underground, Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl redefined the possibilities of guitar-driven music with Nevermind, transforming raw, alternative sound into a global phenomenon. Their brief but seismic run of music videos and televised performances left an indelible mark before Cobain’s death in 1994. Pat Smear later joined the touring lineup, but in the years since, Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear have reserved their appearances for select tribute performances with guest vocalists, most notably at the 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, where Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, St. Vincent, and Lorde each took on Nirvana’s catalog.

This award highlights the band’s complicated history with the VMAs. On September 9, 1992, Nirvana made their unforgettable VMA debut. Their catalog gave MTV some of its most memorable videos: ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’, ‘Come as You Are’, ‘In Bloom’, and ‘Heart-Shaped Box’. Later appearances kept that spirit alive. The last time Grohl, Novoselic, and Smear performed together was at the Fire Aid benefit in January 2025.

The 2026 ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS, with simultaneous coverage on Paramount+ and MTV. A host has yet to be announced. Previous recipients of the Video Vanguard Award include Mariah Carey, Katy Perry, Shakira, and Nicki Minaj. MTV timed the announcement to coincide with the 34th anniversary of Nirvana’s first VMA performance, acknowledging the band’s role in shaping not only the network but the broader musical and cultural landscape. It remains unconfirmed whether the surviving members will attend or perform in connection with the award.

Stream Nevermind: