The VMAs 2026 ceremony takes place Sunday, September 27, with Snoop Dogg hosting a live show from Los Angeles that brings together major names from across the music industry.
The two-hour broadcast is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time and 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
It will air on CBS and MTV in the United States, with live streaming available through Paramount+ Premium.
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What time are the VMAs 2026?
The ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 27.
The broadcast is live on both coasts rather than being delayed for West Coast viewers.
The event is being staged at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, marking the first time the VMAs have returned to the Los Angeles area since 2017.
Canadian viewers should check their local television listings and streaming providers for availability, as the U.S. CBS and Paramount+ arrangements do not automatically apply to Canadian services.
Snoop Dogg hosts the ceremony
Snoop Dogg is hosting the VMAs for the first time.
He has previously appeared at the event as a performer and nominee, but Sunday’s ceremony marks his first turn as presenter and host.
The rapper is also serving as an executive producer on the show.
Additional presenters announced for the ceremony include Chuck D, Emma Bunton, Orville Peck and Paris Hilton.
Madonna, Taylor Swift and Nirvana headline the night
Madonna is expected to open the show, returning to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2003.
She leads this year’s nominations with 11, while Taylor Swift follows with nine.
Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, a new award recognizing artists whose work behind the camera has expanded music-video storytelling.
Swift is also scheduled to premiere the music video for “Patient Zero” during the ceremony.
The video was directed by Swift and stars Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award.
The honour is not decided through fan voting and recognizes the band’s lasting influence on music videos and popular culture.
Performers announced for the 2026 VMAs
The announced performance lineup includes Madonna, Lisa, RAYE, Shaboozey, Gunna, Sienna Spiro, Yung Lean and GENER8ION.
The programme will also feature a tribute to Dolly Parton, with Kacey Musgraves performing as part of the segment.
RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims are set to join a separate tribute honouring George Michael.
The mix of current performers and legacy tributes reflects the ceremony’s traditional focus on live appearances as well as music-video awards.
Who leads the VMAs 2026 nominations?
Madonna’s 11 nominations give her the largest haul of the night.
Swift has nine, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each have seven.
Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson each received five nominations.
The Video of the Year field includes Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” Madonna’s “Confessions II – The Film,” Grande’s “Hate That I Made You Love Me,” Mars’ “I Just Might,” Carpenter’s “Tear” and GENER8ION’s “Storm,” featuring Yung Lean.
Swift also enters the ceremony tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMAs.
A competitive win would move Swift ahead in the show’s all-time individual tally, while her special Artist Director Honors award is separate from the competitive categories.
How to watch the ceremony
- Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET and 4:30 p.m. PT
- U.S. television: CBS and MTV
- U.S. streaming: Paramount+ Premium
- Location: Peacock Theater, Los Angeles
- Host: Snoop Dogg
Paramount says the programme will be available on demand to Paramount+ subscribers beginning Monday, September 28, while the live stream on September 27 requires the Premium plan in the United States.
The ceremony is scheduled to run for two hours, although the final runtime of a live awards show can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the VMAs 2026?
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
What time do the VMAs 2026 start?
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time and 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
Who is hosting the VMAs 2026?
Snoop Dogg is hosting the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Where are the VMAs 2026 being held?
The ceremony is being held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Which artists are central to the 2026 VMAs?
Madonna leads the nominations, Taylor Swift is receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors, and Nirvana is receiving the Video Vanguard Award.
Fact-Checked: Key dates, broadcast details, host information, honours and performer announcements were checked against official MTV, Paramount and CBS information.
Disclaimer: Broadcast and streaming availability for Canadian viewers may vary by television provider and region, so local listings should be checked.