Since the inaugural ceremony in 1984, the MTV Music Video Awards, aka the VMAs, have provided hundreds of culture-defining moments. From Madonna rolling around on the floor in a wedding dress during the very first broadcast to Kanye West stealing Taylor Swift’s microphone in 2009 to Beyoncé’s 2011 pregnancy reveal, the show has always delivered unexpected — and occasionally controversial — moments alongside the actual awards.

This year’s ceremony takes place in Los Angeles and is set to include a tribute to Dolly Parton, and it’s also the first stop for the premiere of Taylor Swift’s new video for Patient Zero. Snoop Dogg will serve as this year’s host. In addition to handing out awards (you can see a full list of nominees below), the ceremony will feature performances and tributes to acts that were instrumental to MTV’s success and popularity back in the day. There’ll be a tribute to singer George Michael, a performance from Madonna and a segment honoring Nirvana with the 2026 Video Vanguard award. (If you’re old like me and grew up on MTV in the ’80s and ’90s, that could make up for the fact that you might not have heard of half of this year’s nominees and performers.)

The VMAs are sure to be a jam-packed night filled with major pop culture moments. Here’s everything you need to know about who’s nominated and how to watch this year’s ceremony.

When and where to watch the 2026 MTV VMAs

The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 p.m. PT and it will be simulcast on MTV and CBS, and will stream live on Paramount Plus Premium. (Paramount Plus Essential subscribers will be able to watch on demand the next day.)

The simulcast across CBS and MTV means you don’t necessarily need cable to tune in. If you’ve already cut the cord, those channels are available on live TV streaming platforms such as YouTube TV and DirecTV.

How to stream the 2026 MTV VMAs on Paramount Plus

The 2026 MTV VMAs will stream live on Paramount Plus Premium, the streamer’s ad-free tier that also offers access to live TV and Showtime. Subscribers to Paramount Plus Essential, the ad-supported tier, will be able to watch the ceremony on demand the next day.

Who is hosting the 2026 MTV VMAs?

Snoop Dogg — a 13-time nominee himself — will be hosting the 2026 MTV VMAs.

Who is performing at the 2026 VMAs?

There are tons of artists scheduled to appear at the 2026 VMAs in some way. GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, Raye, Shaboozey, Sienna Spiro and Yung Lean will all perform. Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims are also confirmed to perform in the George Michael tribute. And Taylor Swift, who is nominated 9 times this year, will also be receiving the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors for her work behind the camera.

2026 VMA Nominees

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 – Republic Records
• Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
• Madonna – Warner Records
• Morgan Wallen – Big Loud/Mercury Records
• Sabrina Carpenter – Island
• Taylor Swift – Republic Records

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 – Atlantic Records
• CORTIS – BIGHIT MUSIC
• Magnus Ferrell – Visva Records/Republic Records
• Malcolm Todd – Columbia Records
• Myles Smith – RCA Records
• Sienna Spiro – Capitol Records
• Stella Lefty – Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost

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 Direction

• 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: House Tour
• Taylor Swift: Opalite

Best Art Direction

• Charli xcx: SS26
• Lady Gaga & Doechii: RUNWAY
• Madonna: Confessions II – The Film
• PinkPantheress: Stateside + Zara Larsson
• SOMBR: My Body Isn’t Ready
• Taylor Swift: The Fate of Ophelia

Best Cinematography

• A$AP Rocky: PUNK ROCKY
• Ariana Grande: Hate that I made you love me
• LISA: Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
• Madonna: Confessions II – The Film
• Shaboozey: Cowgirl
• Taylor Swift: The Fate of Ophelia

Best Editing

• Ariana Grande: Hate that I made you love me
• Bruno Mars: I Just Might
• LISA: Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi
• Madonna: Confessions II – The Film
• Sabrina Carpenter: House Tour
• Taylor Swift: The Fate of Ophelia

Best Choreography

• GENER8ION: STORM, starring Yung Lean
• Harry Styles: Dance No More
• KATSEYE: PINKY UP
• Madonna: Confessions II – The Film
• Tate McRae: Nobody’s Girl
• Taylor Swift: The Fate of Ophelia

Best Visual Effects

• Ariana Grande: Hate that I made you love me
• JISOO X ZAYN: Eyes Closed
• Madonna: Confessions II – The Film
• PinkPantheress: Stateside + Zara Larsson
• RAYE ft. Hans Zimmer: Click Clack Symphony
• Taylor Swift: The Fate of Ophelia

Liz Kocan has spent the last 20 years covering TV, entertainment and working behind the scenes in digital production. While at VH1.com, she won a Webby Award and was nominated for a Shorty Award as a producer. She has also contributed her writing to USA Today, Decider, Vulture, and many other publications, and has seen every episode of 30 Rock more times than her mind grapes can remember.

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