The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are set to take place on Sunday, Sept. 27, bringing massive milestones and highly anticipated performances to the West Coast. This year's ceremony, hosted by hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, will be held at the 7,100-seat Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, marking the event's return to the West Coast for the first time since 2017. The venue last hosted the VMAs in 2015 when it was known as the Microsoft Theater.
Snoop Dogg, known for legendary hits like "Beautiful," "Drop It Like It's Hot," and "Gin and Juice," is no stranger to the VMAs stage, having first performed at the show in 1994 and winning three times during his career.
Among the night's biggest highlights is the return of Madonna, who will open the show. This marks the 68-year-old Queen of Pop's first VMA performance in over 20 years. When she last took the stage in August 2003, George W. Bush was in the White House, the United States was five months into the Iraq War, and Mark Zuckerberg was still months away from launching Facebook. Madonna enters the night with 20 career VMA wins and is nominated for 13 awards, the most of any artist this year. If she sweeps her categories, her career total will rise to 33.
Taylor Swift is also poised for a historic night. She will receive the VMAs' first-ever Artist Director Honors, which organizers say recognizes artists "whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling." Swift is nominated in 11 categories, guaranteeing she will break her current 30-Moon-Person tie with Beyoncé to become the most-awarded artist in VMA history. Neither Swift nor Beyoncé added to their totals in 2025. In addition to her honors, Swift will debut her brand-new "Patient Zero" music video during the broadcast.
Meanwhile, the legendary rock band Nirvana will be honored as this year's Video Vanguard Award recipient.
The evening features a diverse lineup of live performances. Kacey Musgraves, nominated in the best country category, will deliver a special tribute to Dolly Parton. K-pop star LISA of Blackpink, a four-time nominee, will perform her new single "SaWaDiKa." First-time nominees GENER8ION and Swedish rapper Yung Lean will perform the world premiere of "Storm II"; Yung Lean's original track "Storm" is up for four awards. Singer-songwriter Sombr, nominated in three categories, will team up with Teddy Swims and RAYE—whose hit "Where Is My Husband!" is nominated for song of the year—for a tribute to George Michael. The tribute comes nearly 40 years after the release of Michael's debut solo album, "Faith," following his passing in 2016. Country-hip-hop artist Shaboozey will perform his double-nominated song "Cowgirl" and join Gunna for their collaboration "High Noon." Best new artist nominee Sienna Spiro is also scheduled to perform.
GENER8IONGunnaLISAMadonnaKacey MusgravesRAYEShaboozeySienna SpiroSombrTeddy SwimsYung LeanPresenters for the evening's awards 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.
While fan voting in most categories officially closed on Friday, viewers still have opportunities to influence the results. Voting for song of the summer remains open on MTV's Instagram Stories until 11 a.m. ET on Sunday. Fans can also continue voting online for best new artist even after the live broadcast begins.
The 2026 event follows last year's ceremony, which was held at the UBS Arena on Long Island in New York. The winners from the 2025 VMAs were:
Video of the Year: Ariana Grande, "Brighter Days Ahead"Artist of the Year: Lady GagaSong of the Year: Rosé and Bruno Mars, "APT."Best New Artist: Alex WarrenBest Pop Artist: Sabrina CarpenterMTV Push Performance of the Year: KATSEYE, "Touch"Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, "Die With a Smile"Best Pop: Ariana Grande, "Brighter Days Ahead"Best Hip-Hop: Doechii, "Anxiety"Best R&B: Mariah Carey, "Type Dangerous"Best Alternative: Sombr, "Back to Friends"Best Rock: Coldplay, "ALL MY LOVE"Best Latin: Shakira, "Soltera"Best K-Pop: LISA featuring Doja Cat and RAYE, "Born Again"Best Afrobeats: Tyla, "PUSH 2 START"Best Country: Megan Moroney, "Am I Okay?"Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter, "Short n' Sweet"Best Long Form Video: Ariana Grande, "Brighter Days Ahead"Video for Good: Charli xcx, "Guess featuring Billie Eilish"Best Group: BlackpinkSong of Summer: Tate McRae, "Just Keep Watching"Best Direction: Lady Gaga, "Abracadabra"Best Art Direction: Lady Gaga, "Abracadabra"Best Cinematography: Kendrick Lamar, "Not Like Us"Best Editing: Tate McRae, "Just Keep Watching"Best Choreography: Doechii, "Anxiety"Best Visual Effects: Sabrina Carpenter, "Manchild"
