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The clock above counts down to the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, September 13, 2026, broadcast live from UBS Arena in Elmont, New York and simulcast across CBS, MTV, and the Paramount+ family of networks.
The MTV VMAs are the most-watched music video awards ceremony in the US and a defining moment of the late-summer pop calendar. Created in 1984 as MTV's answer to the Grammys, the VMAs have launched and chronicled some of the most viral pop-culture moments of the past four decades, from Madonna's "Like a Virgin" performance to Britney's snake to Kanye's Taylor Swift interruption. Since 2024, the show has run as a CBS/MTV simulcast, dramatically expanding its reach beyond cable.
The 2026 ceremony returns to UBS Arena on Long Island for a third consecutive year. The show is built around two pillars: the Moonman trophies (Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, plus genre-specific awards) and the live performances, which historically generate more cultural impact than the wins themselves. Eligibility runs roughly August to August, so the 2026 show honors music videos released between mid-2025 and mid-2026.
Performers and nominees are typically announced in early August by MTV. Expected frontrunners across major categories include returning chart leaders Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, and breakout 2026 acts. The Vanguard Award, MTV's lifetime-achievement honor, has gone to Mariah Carey (2023), Shakira (2023), Katy Perry (2024), and LL Cool J (2025) in recent years. Per organizer practice, expect a mix of high-concept performance moments, surprise collaborations, and at least one viral acceptance speech.
The 2026 VMAs broadcast live on CBS, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, MTV2, Pop, Logo, Nickelodeon, and TV Land in the US, plus livestream on Paramount+ for subscribers. Showtime is 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT on September 13, which is 1:00 BST on September 14, 2:00 CEST on September 14, 5:30 IST on September 14, and 9:00 JST on September 14. Pre-show red carpet coverage typically begins on MTV at 6:30 PM ET. International viewers can stream via MTV's regional channels and Paramount+ in supported markets.
The VMAs share the September awards window with the 78th Primetime Emmys and feed into the late-fall cluster of the 69th Grammy Awards and Latin Grammys 2026. The 2027 sequel countdown is at MTV VMAs 2027. For the spring European music tentpole, follow the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 countdown.
When are the 2026 MTV VMAs? Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET on CBS and MTV. Where are the 2026 VMAs held? UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, on Long Island. How can I watch the 2026 VMAs? Live on CBS and MTV in the US, simulcast across Paramount cable channels, and streamed on Paramount+. Who is performing at the 2026 VMAs? The performer and nominee lineup is typically announced by MTV in early August.
