Madonna is set to perform at the 2026 VMAs today. Here’s what you need to know and how to watch this year’s MTV Awards.

Madonna is about to go on stage as a performer at MTV Video Music Awards for the first time in over 20 years today as she looks to add to her 20 career VMA victories.

The awards ceremony also marks an important milestone for Taylor Swiftwho will receive the VMAs’ first-ever Artistic Director Award, which organizers say recognizes artists “whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling.”

The new accolade ensures that Swift, also nominated in 11 categories, will become the most awarded artist on the show, breaking the tie between her and Beyoncé, who each collected 30 Moon Persons. from 2024. (Neither added to their total in 2025.)

Swift will also present its new Video clip “Patient Zero” at the VMAs.

Nirvana, meanwhile, will be this year’s Video Vanguard Award winner.

What time do the 2026 VMAs start?

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, September 27.

Who is hosting the 2026 VMAs?

This year’s show is hosted by Snoop Dogg. The rapper known for hits like “Beautiful,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Gin and Juice” is no stranger to the VMA stage, having first performed at the show in 1994 and won three times during his career.

Where to watch the 2026 VMAs

The VMAs will be broadcast on CBS television networks (find your local station here) and on MTV. The show will also air on Paramount+.

How to Watch the VMAs Red Carpet

Watch the stars arrive and see the best looks from the red carpet in special coverage airing live on CBS News Los Angeles starting at 6 p.m. ET, 3 p.m. PT, ahead of the VMAs.

Who are the VMA artists this year?

Alongside Madonna’s highly anticipated return, this year’s VMA performances include a special tribute to Dolly Parton by Kacey Musgraves, nominated in the best country category.

Here’s a list of VMA artists announced so far, in alphabetical order:

• GENERATION
• Gunna
• Lisa
• Madonna
• Kacey Musgraves
• STRIPED
• Shaboozey
• Siena Spiro
• Dark
• Teddy swims
• Yung Skinny

When Madonna last performed at the VMAs in August 2003George W. Bush was in the White House, the United States had been engaged in the Iraq War for five months, and Mark Zuckerberg was set to launch what we now call Facebook in a few months.

This year, a performance by the Queen of Pop, 68, will open the VMAs. She is in the running for 13 awards, the highest number of nominees of the evening. If she wins all 13 categories, her career total will increase to 33.

LISA, a member of the K-pop group Blackpink and a four-time nominee this year, will take the stage to perform her new single “SaWaDiKa.” First-time nominee GENER8ION and Swedish rapper Yung Lean, whose song “Storm” is up for four awards, will perform the world premiere of “Storm II.”

Singer-songwriter Sombr, nominated in three categories, will join STRIPEDincluding the hit “Where Is My Husband!” is up for song of the year, and Teddy swims in a tribute show to George Micheldied in 2016. This tribute comes almost 40 years after the release of his first solo album, “Faith”.

Country and hip-hop artist Shaboozey will sing “Cowgirl,” which received two nominations. He will also join Gunna for their collaboration “High Noon”.

Best New Artist nominee Sienna Spiro will also take the stage during the evening.

Who are the presenters of the 2026 VMAs?

Presenters announced for the show include:

• Alex Warren
• Belmont Caméli
• Brandon Sklenar
• Charli
• Ciara Miller
• David Corenswet
• Ella Bright
• Isabelle Mai
• Jeff Probst
• Rachel Dratch
• Teyana Taylor
• Troy Sivan
• Tyla

Where to access the VMA 2026 vote

Fan voting in most categories ended Friday, but fans can still vote for the best new artist and song of the summer. Voting for Best Song of the Summer will take place on MTV’s Instagram Stories until 11 a.m. ET on Sunday. Fans can vote online for the best new artist even after the show has started.

Where are the 2026 VMAs taking place?

The VMAs will be held at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles, returning to the West Coast for the first time since 2017. The 7,100-seat theater last hosted the VMAs in 2015, when the venue was known as the Microsoft Theater.

Who were the winners of the 2025 VMAs?

Last year, the VMAs were held at the UBS Arena in New York City on Long Island. Here is an overview of 2025 winners:

• Video of the Year: Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead”
• Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga
• Song of the year: Rosé and Bruno Mars, “APT”.
• Best New Artist: Alex Warren
• Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
• MTV 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, “Return to Friends”
• Best Rock: Coldplay, “ALL MY LOVE”
• Best Latin: Shakira, “Soltera”
• Best K-Pop: LISA with Doja Cat and RAYE, “Born Again”
• Best Afrobeats: Tyla, “PUSH 2 START”
• Best Country: Megan Moroney, “Am I OK?”
• Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter, “Short n’ Sweet”
• Best Long Form Video: Ariana Grande, “Brighter Days Ahead”
• Video for Good: Charli xcx, “Guess with Billie Eilish”
• Best group: Blackpink
• Song of the Summer: Tate McRae, “Just Keep Watching”
• Best Director: Lady Gaga, “Abracadabra”
• Best artistic 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”