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MTV VMAs Song of the Year Odds: Trade on Prediction Markets

By Paul Lebowitz in Entertainment

Published:


mtv vma's song of the year odds prediction markets
Sabrina Carpenter performs on the Coachella Stage during the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif., on Friday, April 12, 2024. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
  • The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) are this Sunday, live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA
  • The VMAs have become a touchstone for popular culture, cementing MTV’s continuing influence in the entertainment space
  • One of the biggest awards at the MTV VMAs is Song of the Year; prediction markets offer options for users to weigh in on which song they think will take home the coveted Moon Person statue

The MTV Video Music Awards have been an annual event since 1984. It has evolved from a niche, somewhat jokey program for a relatively new network that many households across the nation did not yet have access to and has become a vital part of an entertainer’s career. Simply being at the show will raise their status and result in greater professional and financial opportunities.

The 2026 MTV VMAs are set for Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA. The awards show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg, starting at 7:30 PM ET; it will garner viewers all over the world. Given its importance, it is no surprise that there are available options on prediction markets for investors to jump in and seek profit. One of the key awards is Song of the Year. This year’s nominees are a combination of old and new, harkening back to MTV’s formative days and the current landscape. Read on to see all the latest MTV VMAs Song of the Year odds from prediction markets.

MTV VMAs Song of the Year Odds From Prediction Markets

Trading volume is light at the moment, sitting just over $120K. It will likely rise in the coming days as the show approaches.

The market shows Swim by BTS as the favorite, currently trading at about 55%. Next is Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter with Bring Your Love at just over 20%. Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas is at 12%.

The other nominees are all in the mid-to-low single digits. That includes Golden by HUNTR/X (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI); Man I Need by Olivia Dean, PinkPantherless with Stateside + Zara Larsson; and WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! by RAYE.

For those who are interested in trading in this market, the Kalshi promo code offers a $55 bonus after making $25 in trades.

The rules are simple. If the selected song wins Song of the Year at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, the market resolves to Yes. MTV will verify the outcome.

Swim – BTS

BTS (Bangtan Boys), the South Korean boy band, is arguably the most popular band in the world. They are leading the field in this category by a substantial margin, in large part because the fans have a major say in who wins, with voters allowed to vote 10X each. The song itself is largely irrelevant in the voting.

However, the percentages are relatively low for them to win Song of the Year in large part because the main competitors have widespread support and reasonable arguments to win in their own right. Those who think BTS’s rabid fan base will carry Swim to victory can make a nice profit.

Bring Your Love – Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is one of the latest teen actresses who became pop stars. She’s prolific with her music releases and has a reasonably family-friendly image. Her lyrics are not sickeningly sweet pop; she can play the guitar and writes her own songs.

She’s certainly popular enough to win in her own right. For this award, however, she collaborated with an icon, Madonna, on Bring Your Love.

There is an argument to be made that MTV might not have succeeded without Madonna. She, along with Michael Jackson and Prince, made MTV a must-watch.

Her style, her catchy songs, her dancing, her personality, and her fearlessness in creating trends have indisputably placed her in the pantheon of music and pop culture. She has not won an MTV VMA since 1999. At age 68, how many more awards will she be nominated for?

With that in mind and BTS having won several VMAs in the past and being young enough to continue winning in the future, there is a potential “lifetime achievement” component to Madonna’s case. Carpenter might come along for the ride.

This is a worthwhile market in that context.

Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley

Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas could, at first glance, pale in comparison to the other top contenders for Song of the Year. However, the overall popularity of the song itself could vault it to victory.

Just recently, the news broke that the country ballad using Texas as an allegory for a love triangle has been at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 23 weeks. This is a record, surpassing Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You.

While BTS is undeniably popular and the Carpenter/Madonna duo will accrue huge support, Langley has a huge following, with the numbers showing the song’s staying power. Since it is just over 10%, there would be enormous benefit were it to win.

Paul Lebowitz

Paul Lebowitz is a novelist, columnist, social commentator, and the author of eight published books on baseball โ€“ one novel and seven baseball guide/previews. He covers sports, politics, and pop culture. Paul graduated from Hunter College with a degree in English. He lives in New York City.

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