Snoop Dogg Hosts 2026 MTV VMAs; Swift Earns Director Honors

Snoop Dogg is set to host and executive produce the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Taylor Swift will become the first recipient of the ceremony's new Artist Director Honors, recognizing her groundbreaking work as a director on videos including 'The Man', 'cardigan', and 'All Too Well: The Short Film'.

Major premieres and performances

Taylor Swift will premiere her new music video for 'Patient Zero', starring Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell, during the broadcast. The show will also feature several tribute performances. Kacey Musgraves will honor Dolly Parton. Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims will perform a tribute to George Michael.

Other performers include LISA, who will debut her new single 'SaWaDiKa' on television. Shaboozey will perform 'Cowgirl' before being joined by Gunna for the first broadcast performance of their collaboration 'High Noon'. GENER8ION and Yung Lean will premiere 'STORM II' onstage. RAYE and Sienna Spiro are both set to make their VMAs performance debuts.

Legendary recognitions and returns

Madonna will open the 2026 MTV VMAs with her first performance at the awards show in 23 years. Her last appearance was in 2003 alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. She leads this year's nominations with 11 nods. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award, 34 years after the band's first VMAs performance.

In the competitive categories, Taylor Swift has nine nominations. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are tied for third with seven nominations each. Taylor Swift is also tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins.

How to watch the 2026 MTV VMAs

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Sunday, September 27, from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. This marks the first time the ceremony has returned to the Los Angeles area since 2017. The broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT and runs for two hours.

Fan voting for the 2026 MTV VMAs remains open through 6 p.m. ET on September 25.