The MTV Video Music Awards are on September 27th, and this year’s ceremony is shaping up to be a major night for music, with Madonna opening the show, Snoop Dogg taking on hosting duties, and some of the biggest names in music hitting the stage.
It’ll all go down live from Los Angeles, bringing together a star-studded lineup of performers and nominees for one of music’s biggest nights.
When are the 2026 MTV VMAs?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, Sept. 27, from Los Angeles. The ceremony will run from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT.
How to watch the 2026 MTV VMAs
Viewers in the U.S. can watch the 2026 MTV VMAs live on CBS, with the ceremony also simulcast on MTV. The show will stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
International viewers will be able to watch the ceremony on Paramount+ and MTV beginning the following day.
Madonna is opening the 2026 VMAs
© GettyThe Queen of Pop is kicking off the ceremony, and the moment is about as full-circle as it gets. Madonna first performed at the very first MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 14, 1984, when she famously took the stage for “Like a Virgin.”
At 68, Madonna is also the most-nominated artist of the night, with 11 nominations. Her nods include Artist of the Year and Video of the Year, along with nominations for Best Collaboration, Art Direction, Cinematography, Editing, Dance, Direction, Choreography and Visual Effects.
Madonna has collected 20 VMA wins throughout her career and has received more than 80 nominations. She is also a past recipient of the Video Vanguard Award.
Who is performing at the 2026 MTV VMAs?
- Raye – Raye enters the VMAs with two nominations: Song of the Year for “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” and Best Visual Effects for “Click Clack Symphony” featuring Hans Zimmer.
- LISA – The BLACKPINK star has four nominations, including Best Pop, Best K-Pop, Best Cinematography and Best Editing for “Dream” featuring Kentaro Sakaguchi.
- Sienna Spiro – The rising star is nominated for Best New Artist and will also take the VMAs stage as a performer.
- Gener8ion and Yung Lean – The artists will join forces for the first-ever live performance of “Storm II.”
- Shaboozey and Gunna – The pair will perform their collaboration “High Noon.” Shaboozey has two nominations this year for Best Cinematography and Best Country for “Cowgirl.”
Kacey Musgraves will honor Dolly Parton
© GettyThe 2026 VMAs will also pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton, with Grammy-winning country star Kacey Musgraves leading the tribute.
Musgraves and Parton have shared the stage before, including during the 2019 Grammy Awards celebration honoring Parton as MusiCares Person of the Year.
With Parton’s death, fans have naturally been wondering whether other artists could join Musgraves during the VMAs tribute. Miley Cyrus has not been confirmed as part of the performance, but given their history, it could make for an emotional moment.
The VMAs will honor George Michael
© GettyGeorge Michael’s legacy will also take center stage during the 2026 VMAs. RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims will join forces for a special tribute to the late music icon, celebrating his influence across pop and beyond.
The performance comes 40 years after the release of Michael’s landmark album Faith and ahead of the worldwide release of George Michael: The Faith Tour. Michael was a four-time VMA winner and a major figure throughout MTV’s early years.
Who is receiving the Video Vanguard Award?
© GettyNirvana will receive the MTV Video Vanguard Award for 2026 in honor of their impact on music and pop culture. The iconic band made their debut on the MTV VMAs in 1992, with the network refusing to let them play their song “Rape Me.” However, Kurt Cobain strummed and sang a few bars before going into “Lithium.”
They received awards that year for Best Alternative Video and Best New Artist categories for their track “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” In 1993, “In Bloom” won Best Alternative Video.
Taylor Swift is getting a new honor
© WireImageThe 2026 ceremony will also introduce a new honor: Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, recognizing her work behind the camera and her contributions to visual storytelling through her music videos and short films.
Who are the Latino artists nominated at the 2026 VMAs?
Latin music has a small but powerful presence at this year’s ceremony, with Bruno Mars, Shakira, Bad Bunny, KAROL G, Anitta, Fuerza Regida, Rosalía and Ryan Castro among the Latino artists earning nominations.
Bruno Mars
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for TheBruno Mars is the most-nominated Latino artist at this year’s VMAs, with five nominations. The singer, whose father is Puerto Rican, is nominated for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year, while “I Just Might” is also up for Video of the Year, Best R&B and Best Direction.
Shakira
© GettyShakira has three nominations this year, including recognition for her collaborations with Burna Boy on “Dai Dai” and Anitta on “Choka Choka.”
Fuerza Regida
© GettyFuerza Regida has a major honor. The Mexican-American group from San Bernardino is nominated outside the “Best Latin” category with overall Best Group.
Best Latin nominees
The Best Latin category brings together some of the biggest names in Latin music:
- Anitta with Shakira — “Choka Choka”
- Bad Bunny — “NUEVAYoL”
- Fuerza Regida — “TU SANCHO”
- KAROL G — “Papasito”
- Rosalía ft. Yahritza Y Su Esencia — “La Perla”
- Ryan Castro, Kapo & GANGSTA — “LA VILLA”
- Shakira & Burna Boy — “Dai Dai”
Who has the most 2026 VMAs nominations?
- Madonna – 11 nods.
- Taylor Swift – 9
- Ariana Grande – 7
- Sabrina Carpenter – 7
- Bruno Mars – 5
- PinkPantheress – 5
- Zara Larsson – 5
- LISA – 4
See the full nominations list here.
Presenters
- Alex Warren
- Belmont Cameli
- Charli xcx
- Ciara Miller
- David Corenswet
- Ella Bright
- Isabel May
- Jeff Probst
- Rachel Dratch
- ADVERTISEMENT
- Teyana Taylor
- Tyla
- Troye Sivan
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