LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey join 2026 MTV VMAs as Madonna to open
LISA will give the first television performance of her single “SaWaDiKa” at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards, heading a second wave of performers confirmed for the ceremony.
The new additions are LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, Gunna, GENER8ION and Yung Lean, Billboard reported on 17 September. Madonna will open the show. Snoop Dogg will host the two-hour programme.
The announcement came 10 days before the ceremony. The seven names form the latest addition to the performance bill. Madonna as opener puts a nominations leader at the top of the night.
LISA’s set centres on new material. She will perform “SaWaDiKa” on television for the first time. The performance comes with four nominations for LISA at this year’s ceremony. She is one of the few performers this year who is also competing in multiple categories.
Shaboozey has two moments in the programme. He will perform his single “Cowgirl” solo. He will then bring out Gunna for the first broadcast performance of their collaboration “High Noon”. The joint set is billed as the song’s debut on broadcast television.
GENER8ION and Yung Lean will perform together. They will give the world premiere of “Storm II”. RAYE and Sienna Spiro are also confirmed to perform, with their songs still to be announced. That leaves two slots where the material remains under wraps.
The ceremony will air live from Los Angeles. It is scheduled for Sunday, 27 September from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET in the United States. It will air on CBS, with a simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ Premium. The 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. slot gives the show a two-hour window on network television.
The nominations list is led by Madonna. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter follow with seven nominations each, according to Paramount. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson each have five nominations.
Shakira and Tate McRae each have three nominations. The figures were confirmed when nominations were revealed in August. The Los Angeles location and the 27 September date on CBS were confirmed at the same time.
What makes this stand out is the emphasis on first performances. Viewers will hear “SaWaDiKa” on television for the first time. They will also hear “High Noon” on broadcast for the first time and “Storm II” played in public for the first time. For fans, this means the broadcast will be the first place to hear those versions live.
