MTV VMAs 2026: Start Time, Channel, Performers and How to Watch Live
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday will gather some of the most prominent figures in music in Los Angeles, with Madonna opening the event, Snoop Dogg acting as host and Taylor Swift ready to make a major premiere.
The event will be held at the Peacock Theater and will be broadcast live on CBS and MTV. People in the United States will be able to watch it by using Paramount+ Premium. The ceremony will last two hours, and those outside the United States will be able to view it via Paramount+ and MTV the next day.
When will the 2026 MTV VMAs begin?
The 2026 VMAs are set to start at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, Sept. 27, and the live broadcast will go on until 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT; CBS has likewise given the same start time for the live broadcast.
For people in the Central Time Zone, the event begins at 6:30 p.m., whereas in the Mountain Time Zone it starts at 5:30 p.m. International viewers are advised to look at local listings and to check whether Paramount+ or MTV is available in their area.
What channel is the VMAs on?
In the United States, the VMAs can be watched live on CBS, with the event also being broadcast on MTV. The show will be available to view on Paramount+ Premium in the U.S.
CBS and MTV state that the ceremony will be available on Paramount+ and MTV the next day worldwide.
Who Will Be Performing at the 2026 VMAs?
Madonna will be opening the event, which makes it her first live performance at the VMAs in 23 years. She is, in fact, the artist with the most nominations at this year’s ceremony, having 11 nominations.
The performance lineup that was previously announced features GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Sienna Spiro, and Yung Lean, and GENER8ION and Yung Lean will also perform together at the ceremony.
There will be two special tribute acts. RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims will join together to pay homage to George Michael, and Kacey Musgraves will give a tribute to Dolly Parton; her performance represents her first return to the VMA stage in five years.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Patient Zero’ Video Will Premiere
A major highlight of the 2026 VMAs will involve Taylor Swift, even though she is not at the moment included among the live performers who have been announced for the show.
The world premiere of Swift’s new “Patient Zero” music video will take place at the ceremony. The video is directed by Swift and features Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson, with cinematography being done by Oscar-winning filmmaker Emmanuel Lubezki.
Swift will also be awarded the first-ever MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, an award designed to recognise artists whose directing has helped to advance music-video storytelling. According to the most recent overview from the Associated Press, she has nine nominations this year.
Who Is Going to Be Hosting the 2026 VMAs?
Snoop Dogg will be the host of the 2026 MTV VMAs and will also take on the role of executive producer for the event.
As stated by CBS and MTV, the presenter lineup consists of Alex Warren, Belmont Cameli, Brandon Sklenar, Charli xcx, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Ella Bright, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Troye Sivan, and Tyla.
What else should fans know?
Nirvana will be awarded the distinguished Video Vanguard Award, and Swift will become the first person to receive the new Artist Director Honors. The ceremony, which includes live performances, tribute sections, and Swift’s exclusive video premiere, has a number of key moments for viewers to watch.
2026 MTV VMAs Quick Facts
Date: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET. 4:30 p.m. PT
Location: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles
TV: CBS and MTV
Streaming on Paramount+ Premium service in the United States.
Host: Snoop Dogg
Opening performer: Madonna
Performers: Madonna, GENER8ION, Gunna, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Sienna Spiro, Yung Lean, SOMBR, Teddy Swims and Kacey Musgraves
Special tributes: George Michael and Dolly Parton
Video Vanguard Award: Nirvana
Artist Director Honors: Taylor Swift
Special premiere: Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” music video
