The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air tonight, Sunday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT live on CBS from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Snoop Dogg hosting.
The night's biggest storyline belongs to Taylor Swift. Beyond her nine nominations - including Video and Artist of the Year - Swift will receive the brand-new MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, recognizing "groundbreaking music artists whose work behind the camera has expanded the possibilities of music video and advanced the art of visual storytelling." The win pushes her VMA total to 31, breaking her tie with Beyoncé for most-awarded artist in the show's history. Swift will also debut the music video for her new single "Patient Zero" live during the broadcast, a video she directed herself starring Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
Madonna leads all nominees this year and will open the show for the first time in 23 years. Confirmed performers include LISA, GENER8ION with Yung Lean, RAYE, Shaboozey with Gunna, and Sienna Spiro.
Related Article: How to Watch the 2026 VMAs Tonight: Every Way to Stream It Live, Even Without Cable
