Madonna will open the 2026 VMAs on Sunday, Sept. 27, marking her first performance at the show in 23 years and, notably, the fifth time she has opened the telecast — a new VMAs record. She had previously been tied with Rihanna, who has opened the show four times.
The ceremony will run just two hours, roughly half the length of the Grammys or the Oscars, though producer Van Toffler is packing the shortened runtime with performances and presentations.
Two tribute performances are set to honor late artists: Kacey Musgraves will pay tribute to Dolly Parton, while RAYE, SOMBR and Teddy Swims will honor George Michael. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard award, though it has not yet been announced whether a performance will accompany the honor, as is typically the case.
RAYE will also have a solo performance slot, as will Sienna Spiro — both artists considered serious Grammy contenders in marquee categories, with Grammy first-round voting opening Sept. 12. Shaboozey is set to perform twice: his solo hit "Cowgirl" and "High Noon" alongside Gunna. Gener8ion and Yung Lean will team up for "Storm II," the second half of their surprise video of the year nominee "Storm." LISA from BLACKPINK will perform her song "SaWaDiKa."
Taylor Swift will receive the inaugural VMA Artist Director honors. She has won the VMA for best direction four times, for "The Man," "All Too Well: The Short Film," "Anti-Hero" and "Fortnight." The music video for her new single, "Patient Zero," is set to premiere during the broadcast.
Alex Warren, who performed "Ordinary" and "Eternity" on last year's show and won best new artist, will return this year as a presenter, joined by Charli xcx, Teyana Taylor, Tyla and Troye Sivan.
Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the VMAs will air live from Los Angeles on CBS from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ET/4:30-6:30 p.m. PT, simulcast on MTV and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) in the U.S. The show will be available globally the following day on Paramount+ and MTV.
The VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky, with Van Toffler serving as producer. Jesse Ignjatovic of Den of Thieves, Barb Bialkowski and Bruce Gillmer serve as executive producers alongside Barry Barclay and Floris Bauer. Melanie Block is co-executive producer and Gary Lanvy is co-producer. Snoop Dogg serves as executive producer alongside producers Sara Ramaker and Jasmin Ratansi, with Jen Proctor as executive talent producer.
Photo: chrisweger, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
