Snoop Dogg: The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards return this Sunday.
The show honors this year's top music, artists and television moments. Several A-list performers are set to take the stage.
CBS will air the VMAs live from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET. That's 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. PT. MTV will simulcast the broadcast. Paramount+ will stream it.
The ceremony airs Sunday, Sept. 27. It will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. No preshow is scheduled this year.
Snoop Dogg Takes the Hosting Reins
Snoop Dogg will host the 2026 VMAs. The 54-year-old rapper has 13 career nominations. He has won three times.
His first win came in 1994 for Best Rap Video. He won again in 2006 for Best Dance Video. His most recent win was in 2015 for Best Art Direction.
Snoop's VMAs history runs deep. He recently teamed up with Eminem for a performance inspired by the Otherside metaverse.
In 2005, he paid tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. on the VMAs stage. He also closed out the 1999 show alongside Dr. Dre and Eminem.
"Some of the biggest moments of my career happened on that stage and on MTV—they gave hip hop a place to be loud, fearless and seen by the whole world," Snoop said, according to a press release.
"So to come back now and host the VMAs, all these years later, that's a full-circle moment for me."
Madonna Leads the Nominations
Madonna tops this year's nominees with 11 nods. Taylor Swift trails close behind with nine.
Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each earned seven nominations. Bruno Mars, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson each picked up five.
LISA landed four nominations. Shakira and Tate McRae each earned three.
The Video of the Year category features a stacked lineup. Nominees include Madonna, 68; Swift, 36; Grande, 33; Carpenter, 27; Mars, 40; and GENER8ION.
GENER8ION marks one of several first-time nominees this year. Others include Yung Lean, CORTIS, Stella Lefty, Don Toliver, Kali Uchis, Noah Kahan, Olivia Dean, Sienna Spiro and Tucker Wetmore.
A Packed Performance Lineup
Madonna will open the show. It marks her first live VMAs performance in 23 years.
Additional performers include Lisa, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, GENER8ION, Gunna and Yung Lean.
Lisa, 29, will debut her new single "SaWaDiKa" live on TV.
The track comes from her upcoming EP, PRESS PLAY, due out Friday, Oct. 23. RAYE, 28, will make her VMAs performance debut. Spiro will do the same.
Shaboozey, 31, will also debut on the VMAs stage with "Cowgirl." He'll then join Gunna, 33, for "High Noon," marking that song's first broadcast performance.
GENER8ION and Yung Lean, 33, will premiere their new song "STORM II" together, live for the first time.
Who's Presenting This Year
Several television stars will hand out awards this year. They include "Survivor" host Jeff Probst, "Dancing with the Stars" contestant Ciara Miller, and "Off Campus" stars Belmont Cameli and Ella Bright.
"Superman" star David Corenswet, "Scream 7" actress Isabel May and "Loves Company" star Rachel Dratch round out the acting presenters.
Musicians will also take part. Presenters from the music world include Alex Warren, Charli XCX, Teyana Taylor, Tyla and Troye Sivan.
Special Honors for Swift and Nirvana
Taylor Swift will receive the first-ever Artist Director Honors.
The new award recognizes music artists whose behind-the-camera work has pushed the boundaries of music video storytelling, according to the press release.
Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award. The honor celebrates the band's lasting impact on music, culture and MTV.
Nirvana joins a list of recent honorees. That list includes Mariah Carey in 2025, Katy Perry in 2024, Shakira in 2023 and Nicki Minaj in 2022.
How to Watch
The 2026 VMAs air on CBS this Sunday, Sept. 27. MTV will simulcast the show. Paramount+ will stream it live.
The ceremony broadcasts from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Follow Us
