The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards are under way tonight at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Snoop Dogg taking on hosting duties for the first time.
The ceremony brings in a new era for the awards as it marks the event’s first return to LA since 2017.
MTV VMAs 2026: Adam Lambert
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Madonna and Taylor Swift head into the evening as the most nominated artists, with 13 and 11 nods respectively, vying for the coveted Moon Person statuettes.
Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande and Bruno Mars round out the leading contenders.
MTV VMAs 2026: Bebe Rexha
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Madonna is set to open proceedings with her first live VMA performance in 23 years.
The wider lineup features a mix of established names and fresh faces. LISA will use the occasion to debut her new track SaWaDiKa on television, whilst Shaboozey is due to perform Cowgirl before joining Gunna for the first broadcast outing of their collaboration High Noon.
MTV VMAs 2026: RAYE
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RAYE and Sienna Spiro are both making their VMA performance debuts tonight. GENER8ION and Yung Lean will premiere STORM II on stage.
Kacey Musgraves, who is nominated in the best country category for Dry Spell, returns to the VMA stage for the first time in five years. Teddy Swims and Sombr complete the evening’s performance roster.
MTV VMAs 2026: Lisa Rinna
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Ms Swift is also being honoured tonight with the inaugural Artist-Director Award, a new recognition from MTV.
The ceremony will feature the world premiere of her music video for Patient Zero, which she directed and which stars Colin Farrell and Dakota Johnson.
MTV VMAs 2026: Teyana Taylor
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Nirvana, meanwhile, will collect the Video Vanguard Award, one of the evening’s most prestigious honours.
The accolade arrives 34 years after the band first took to the VMA stage in 1992, a performance that became one of the ceremony’s defining moments.
MTV VMAs 2026: Sienna Spiro
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Elsewhere, Ms Musgraves will lead a tribute to Dolly Parton during the ceremony, whilst RAYE, Sombr and Teddy Swims have been enlisted to honour the late George Michael in a separate segment.
Before the performances, however, the red carpet delivered its own spectacle outside the Peacock Theater, with artists embracing striking fashion choices.
MTV VMAs 2026: Haley Baylee
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Among the early arrivals were Chlöe Bailey, RAYE, Adam Lambert, Sienna Spiro, Dave Grohl, and many more.
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