Music
Time, ‘Patient Zero’ music video
The best music videos of the year will be honored tonight at the 43rd annual MTV Video Music Awards.
For the second year in a row, the awards will be broadcast on CBS in addition to its regular home of MTV, making the VMAs easier to watch at home.
The VMA ceremony will be hosted by three-time winner Snoop Dogg, who was last on the VMAs stage as a performer in 2022. Nominations, which were announced on Aug. 18, are led by Madonna, who tied Lady Gaga’s record for the most nominations by a single artist in one year with 13.
Watch MTV VMAs 2026 for free
- When: Sept. 27, 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Peacock Theater (Los Angeles, California)
- How to watch for free: DIRECTV (five-day free trial)
- TV Channel: CBS
She is followed by Taylor Swift with 11; Sabrina Carpenter with nine; and Ariana Grande with eight. In addition to her 11 nominations, Swift is set to receive the inaugural MTV VMA Artist Director Honors. The special award will be her 31st VMA, Swift is now the most-awarded individual in VMA history, passing Beyoncé (30).
Earlier this week, Swift announced that the music video for her new single “Patient Zero” would premiere during tonight’s VMAs. A teaser shared earlier this week revealed the music video’s stars: A-listers Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell.
“The timing made sense with the release,” a source told Page Six. “She really wanted to be there and the network wanted to figure out a moment in the show that was special to her where she wasn’t just in the background so MTV made this moment happen.”
MTV’s signature Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award will be given to ’90s rock band Nirvana tonight as well.
What time are the VMAs tonight?
The VMAs begin at 7:30 p.m. ET tonight, Sept. 27.
Where to stream the VMAs for free
If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the 2026 VMAs for free.
DIRECTV is our top pick for watching TV live for free because of its flexible plans and great deals. CBS is currently included in two discounted genre packs: MyNews ($39.99/month for two months) and MySports ($44.99/month for six months), both of which come with a five-day free trial before payment begins.
VMAs red carpet info
This year, the VMAs red carpet will not be televised traditionally, but fans nationwide can tune in to the CBS Los Angeles live stream at 6 p.m. ET to watch CBS LA’s coverage of the red carpet.
Who is hosting the 2026 VMAs?
Rapper Snoop Dogg will host the VMAs for the first time this year. The three-time VMA winner has appeared on the ceremony as a performer in 1994,1999, 2003, 2005 and 2022.
Who is performing at the VMAs?
Madona, who leads all nominees this year, will open the ceremony marking her first VMA performance in 23 years. Gener8io, Yung Lean, Lisa, Raye, Shaboozey, Gunna and Sienna Spiro will also perform.
Kacey Musgraves is set to perform a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, while Raye, Sombr and Teddy Swims will honor George Michael a decade after his passing with a medley.
VMAs 2026 nominees (top categories)
There will be 23 awards handed out tonight; 17 will be fan-voted, while the rest (including craft categories like directions, cinematography and choreography) will be determined by industry professionals.
These are a few of the top prizes, but you can find the full list of 2026 VMA nominations on MTV’s official site.
| Category | Nominees |
|---|---|
| Video of the Year | Ariana Grande – “Hate That I Made You Love Me” Bruno Mars – “I Just Might” Gener8ion – “Storm” starring Yung Lean Madonna – Confessions II – The Film Sabrina Carpenter – “Tears” Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia” |
| Artist of the Year | Ariana Grande Bruno Mars Madonna Morgan Wallen Sabrina Carpenter Taylor Swift |
| Song of the Year | BTS – “Swim” Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas” Huntrix – “Golden” Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter – “Bring Your Love” Olivia Dean – “Man I Need” PinkPantheress – “Stateside + Zara Larsson” Raye – “Where Is My Husband!” |
| Best New Artist | Bella Kay Cortis Magnus Ferrell Malcolm Todd Myles Smith Sienna Spiro Stella Lefty |
2026 VMAs presenters
Alex Warren, “Off Campus” stars Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright, Charli XCX, Chuck D, Ciara Miller, David Corenswet, Emma Bunton, Isabel May, Jeff Probst, Orville Peck, Paris Hilton, Rachel Dratch, Teyana Taylor, Tyla and Troye Sivan were announced as presenters ahead of this year’s VMAs.
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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for the New York Post, Page Six, and Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with information on how to watch all of your favorite reality TV shows and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, celebrities and pop culture. Prior to joining The Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews
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