How to Watch the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Live

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 27. Snoop Dogg is set to host the ceremony, which will be available to watch on CBS, MTV, and Paramount+.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. ET. Encore presentations will air at 9:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. ET on MTV.

Viewers with a cable login can stream the event live via the CBS website. For those without cable, the VMAs can be accessed through various live TV streaming services, including DIRECTV, Philo, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. Many of these services offer free trials for new subscribers.

Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch the VMAs live for $13.99 per month, while Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream the show the following day for $8.99 per month. Paramount+ can also be added to Prime Video or Hulu accounts. A free trial is available for Paramount+ purchased through YouTube.

This year's VMAs will feature the world premiere of Taylor Swift's music video for her new single, "Patient Zero." Directed by Swift herself, the video stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson. Swift is also set to receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors. Madonna will return to the VMAs stage for the first time since 2003. Kacey Musgraves will perform a tribute to Dolly Parton, and RAYE, Sombr, and Teddy Swims will honor George Michael. Additional performers include GENER8ION, Yung Lean, LISA, Shaboozey, Gunna, and SIENNA SPIRO.

Madonna leads the nominations with 11, followed by Taylor Swift with nine. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each received seven nominations.