MTV VMAs 2026: Snoop Dogg hosts as Madonna leads nominations
Madonna heads into the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards with 13 nominations, tying the record for most nominations in a single year set by Lady Gaga in 2010.
The 42nd edition is hosted by three-time VMA winner Snoop Dogg. It broadcasts live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 27, according to Deadline.
The show airs from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET / 4:30-6:30 p.m. PT. In the United States it airs on CBS, with a simulcast, meaning the same live show at the same time, on MTV, and streams on Paramount+ Premium. It will be available globally the next day on Paramount+ and MTV.
Behind Madonna in the nominations count, Taylor Swift has 11, Sabrina Carpenter has nine and Ariana Grande has eight. The figures point to a tight race across the night's main categories.
Two special honours are confirmed. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award, the show's long-running honour for outstanding work in music videos. Swift will receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors.
Swift is also using the broadcast for a premiere. Her video for "Patient Zero" from The Life of a Showgirl: The Encore will get its first showing during the simulcast.
Madonna will open the show with songs from Confessions II. It is her first VMAs performance in 23 years.
Kacey Musgraves will perform a tribute to Dolly Parton. Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will join for a tribute marking 40 years since the release of George Michael's album Faith in 1987.
The performance lineup also includes Lisa, Gener8ion and Yung Lean, Shaboozey and Gunna, and Sienna Spiro. Presenters include 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.
For fans, this means one live window to watch in the US, then catch-up the next day elsewhere. Record-tying nominations, two major honours and a world premiere all sit inside a two-hour broadcast.
