VMAs 2026: Watch All of the Performances

The 2026 MTV VMAs Awards are taking place tonight at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The Snoop Dogg-hosted ceremony kicked off with a highly anticipated performance from Madonna, in her first VMAs set since 2003. The night will also include a George Michael tribute, featuring a perplexing lineup of RAYE, Sombr, and Teddy Swims. LISA, Yung Lean, Shaboozey, and more will also hit the stage, as will the remaining members of Nirvana, who are accepting this year’s Video Vanguard Award.

See the full winners list and follow along with all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2026 VMAs.

Madonna

The Queen of Pop is returning to the VMAs stage for the first time in two decades. She is also the most-nominated artists of the night, with 13 total nods.

Kacey Musgraves (Dolly Parton Tribute)

After a run of pop-leaning albums, Kacey Musgraves is back on her country beat — and just in time to give a faithful sendoff to the late Dolly Parton in tonight’s special tribute. She’s also in the running for Best Country with “Dry Spell.”

Nirvana Tribute

This year, the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award goes to Nirvana. The band’s surviving members (Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear) are expected to appear, with a special guest or two popping up to handle the late Kurt Cobain’s vocals not unlikely.

Sombr, Raye, Teddy Swims (George Michael Tribute)

The late George Michael is getting a multi-artist tribute tonight with Sombr, Raye, and Teddy Swims joining forces to honor the pop star. Sombr has three nominations this evening, while Raye has two nods.

LISA

Blackpick member LISA is the first and K-pop artist to perform at the MTV VMAs as a solo act, and she’s marking the occasion with “Sawadika.” LISA has four nominations this year, including Best Pop for “Dream.”

Gunna

Gunna is expected to share the stage with Shaboozey to perform “High Noon.” It will be the YSL rapper’s sole appearance this evening.

Yung Lean

Swedish rapper Yung Lean is giving his viral performance on the Gener8ion song “Storm” the live treatment, with the producer appearing onstage alongside him. Together, the two earned four nominations tied to the track.

Shaboozey

As previously noted, Shaboozey will likely take the VMAs stage alongside Gunna. But first, he will sing his original song “Cowgirl,” which has earned him two nominations this year: Best Cinematography and Best Country.

Sienna Spiro

Best New Artist nominee Sienna Spiro will take the stage to show off why she earned her spot in this year’s rising artists group.

GENER8ION

French producer Benoit Heitz is best known under his stage name Surkin, or at least until this year when his electronic project Gener8ion tapped Yung Lean for “Storm” and the song went viral for its entrancing video. The two will perform it live and hope to bring home a trophy from any of their four nominations.