The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from Los Angeles, featuring Madonna’s first VMA performance in 23 years, a Dolly Parton tribute by Kacey Musgraves and the premiere of Taylor Swift’s “Patient Zero” music video. The ceremony matters for its unusually high-profile line-up and new honours, including Swift’s inaugural Artist Director Award and Nirvana’s Video Vanguard Award.

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the event begins on Sunday, 27 September, at 7.30 p.m. ET/4.30 p.m. PT on CBS and MTV. Viewers can stream it on Paramount+ or DirecTV, which is offering a five-day trial; other performers include LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Gunna, Sienna Spiro, GENER8ION and Yung Lean, while Swift has nine nominations and Madonna leads with 11.