Can’t seem to get that hit single or your favorite music video from the last year out of your head? Chances are, you’re not the only one, and it might have been catchy enough to get a nod at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Fans are voting for their favorite artists and videos, and we’ll find out who takes home a coveted Moon Person when the 2026 MTV VMAs air live on Sunday, September 27. Get all the information you need to watch your favorite artists perform and find out who wins big this year.
Watch the VMAs on DIRECTV — and so much more!
When Are the 2026 VMAs?
The 2026 MTV VMAs will take place live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. The ceremony marks the VMAs’ return to the Los Angeles area for the first time since 2017.
How to Watch the MTV Video Music Awards in 2026
Fans have multiple options for watching the VMAs live this year. The 2026 MTV VMAs will air on CBS and simulcast on MTV (DIRECTV Channel 331) beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
The awards show will also stream live in the U.S. for Paramount+ Premium subscribers. Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream the ceremony on demand beginning the following day.
Who Is Hosting the 2026 VMAs?
Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 MTV VMAs.
The rapper is no stranger to the VMAs stage. Snoop Dogg has earned 13 VMA nominations and three wins throughout his career, with past appearances including performances alongside Dr. Dre and Eminem.
This year, he’ll take on hosting duties for the first time as some of the biggest names in music come together for another night of performances, awards and memorable VMA moments.
Who Is Performing at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards?
The 2026 VMAs will feature performances from established stars and rising artists, with Madonna set to open the show in her first live VMA performance in 23 years.
The announced performers include:
- Madonna
- GENER8ION
- Gunna
- Kacey Musgraves
- LISA
- RAYE
- Shaboozey
- Sienna Spiro
- SOMBR
- Teddy Swims
- Yung Lean
GENER8ION and Yung Lean will perform “STORM II,” while Kacey Musgraves will take the stage for a special tribute to Dolly Parton. RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims will also come together for a tribute to George Michael.
2026 MTV VMA Nominations
Some of the biggest names in music are competing for a Moon Person at the 2026 VMAs.
Madonna leads this year’s nominees with 13 nominations, followed by Taylor Swift with 11. Sabrina Carpenter earned nine nominations, Ariana Grande received eight and Bruno Mars earned six, while PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson received five each.
Here’s a look at the 2026 VMA nominees in some of the night’s biggest categories.
Video of the Year
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Artist of the Year
- Ariana Grande
- Bruno Mars
- Madonna
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
- BTS – “Swim”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI AMI – “Golden”
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
- Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
Best New Artist
- Bella Kay
- CORTIS
- Magnus Ferrell
- Malcolm Todd
- Myles Smith
- Sienna Spiro
- Stella Lefty
Best Collaboration
- Clipse, Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, Malice – “Chains & Whips”
- French Montana x Max B – “Ever Since U Left Me”
- Madonna & Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love”
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- Shakira & Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”
- Teyana Taylor & Lucky Daye – “Hard Part”
Best Pop
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
- Charli xcx – “SS26”
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “drop dead”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
- Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Best Hip-Hop
- Cardi B ft. Kehlani – “Safe”
- Don Toliver – “E85”
- Drake – “Janice STFU”
- Megan Thee Stallion – “LOVER GIRL”
- Travis Scott – “DUMBO”
- Tyler, The Creator – “SUGAR ON MY TONGUE”
Best R&B
- Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
- Chris Brown – “It Depends/Obvious”
- Dave & Tems – “Raindance”
- Justin Bieber – “YUKON”
- Kehlani – “Folded”
- Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis – “Is It a Crime”
Best Alternative
- Geese – “Taxes”
- mgk & Fred Durst – “FIX UR FACE”
- Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “the cure”
- SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
- Tame Impala – “Dracula”
- twenty one pilots – “Drag Path”
Best Dance
- Bebe Rexha & Faithless – “New Religion”
- Harry Styles – “Aperture”
- Lady Gaga & Doechii – “RUNWAY”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
- PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson”
- Slayyyter – “DANCE…”
- Tate McRae – “Nobody’s Girl”
Best Latin
- 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”
Best K-Pop
- BLACKPINK – “JUMP”
- BTS – “SWIM”
- CORTIS – “REDRED”
- KATSEYE – “PINKY UP”
- LE SSERAFIM feat. j-hope of BTS – “SPAGHETTI”
- LISA – “Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi”
Best Country
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- Kacey Musgraves – “Dry Spell”
- Lainey Wilson – “Somewhere Over Laredo”
- Luke Combs – “Back in the Saddle”
- Shaboozey – “Cowgirl”
- Stella Lefty – “Boston”
- Tucker Wetmore – “Brunette”
Best Album
- Drake – Iceman
- Madonna – Confessions II
- Olivia Dean – The Art of Loving
- Olivia Rodrigo – You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love
- Sabrina Carpenter – Man’s Best Friend
- Taylor Swift – The Life of a Showgirl
Best Long Form Video
- Charli xcx – “Music, Fashion, Film”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- GENER8ION – “STORM starring Yung Lean”
- Madonna – “Confessions II – The Film”
Song of Summer
- Ariana Grande – “hate that i made you love me”
- Bruno Mars – “Risk It All”
- Charli xcx – “Camera”
- Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
- KATSEYE – “Hootie Frutti”
- Latto ft. Doja Cat – “Okayyy”
- Morgan Wallen – “Been by Now”
- Olivia Dean – “So Easy (To Fall in Love)”
- Olivia Rodrigo – “Stupid Song”
- Sabrina Carpenter – “House Tour”
- Slayyyter – “brand new chanel$”
- SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
- Stella Lefty – “Boston”
- Tame Impala & JENNIE – “Dracula”
- Taylor Swift – “I Knew It, I Knew You”
2026 VMA Special Awards
The VMAs will also recognize artists with special honors during the 2026 ceremony.
Nirvana will receive the 2026 Video Vanguard Award, 34 years after the band’s first VMA performance in 1992.
Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a new award recognizing music artists whose work behind the camera has helped advance music video and visual storytelling.
Where to Vote
Fans can vote for their favorite artists in eligible categories at the official MTV VMA voting site. Regular fan voting runs through September 25 at 6 p.m. ET, with Best New Artist voting remaining open into the show.
Additional categories, including Best Album and Song of Summer, have separate voting windows leading up to the ceremony.
Stream the VMAs Live on DIRECTV!
The 2026 MTV VMAs are bringing some of music’s biggest names together for one night in Los Angeles.
Make sure you have DIRECTV so you can watch the 2026 VMAs live on CBS or MTV on Sunday, September 27. Then keep watching for more of the music, entertainment and live events you love.
Frequently asked questions
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