How to Watch the 2026 VMAs Online Without Cable for Free

Here’s how you can catch performances from artists like Madonna and Kacey Musgraves, along with stars like Taylor Swift receiving some of the night’s biggest honors, at no cost

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The 2026 VMAs (MTV Video Music Awards) premiere tonight, Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET. Airing on both CBS and MTV, the ceremony will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. For those who don’t have access to cable but still want to stream the major event, you can watch for free with a trial to DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, or Paramount+ (through a Walmart+ free trial).

Hosted by Snoop Dogg, the awards show has no shortage of major nominees. Madonna leads the pack with 13 nominations — the most of any artist this year — including nods for highly coveted categories like Song of the Year and Artist of the Year. Taylor Swift is nominated for 11 awards, while Sabrina Carpenter follows close behind with nine.

At a Glance: Where to Watch the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards Online for Free Without Cable

• Channel: CBS, MTV
• Date, time: Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. ET
• Stream: DirecTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Paramount+

Madonna is also set to perform at the VMAs, alongside Lisa of Blackpink, Kacey Musgraves, Shaboozey, and more. The show is expected to run approximately two hours, wrapping up around 9:30 p.m. ET.

Among the night’s most anticipated moments is Swift receiving the Artist Director Honor. Swift is also set to premiere the music video for “Patient Zero,” a recent track released as part of the expanded edition of The Life of a Showgirl. Fans will get a first look at the video during the ceremony, with Dakota Johnson and Colin Farrell starring in the clip.

Another much-talked-about moment is Kacey Musgraves’ scheduled tribute to Dolly Parton. The 11-time Grammy winner, who died in August, will be celebrated during the ceremony, alongside a tribute to George Michael, who died in 2016. Artists including Raye, Sombr, and Teddy Swims are among those expected to participate. George Michael: The Faith Tour will also be released on Dec. 11 for audiences looking to revisit the singer’s 1988 concert.

Where to Watch the 2026 VMAs Online Without Cable for Free, Stream

If you want to tune into the awards show without missing a moment of what’s shaping up to be a night full of viral performances and speeches, one of the easiest ways to watch is with a DirecTV trial. You can access CBS on the platform without paying for five days, and sign-up takes only a few minutes. After the trial, you can cancel before being charged or keep a subscription starting at $34.99 per month.

Another option is Fubo, which also offers a five-day free trial and includes hundreds of channels to choose from.

We also recommend Hulu + Live TV, another one of our favorite options for streaming live television. The service includes channels like CBS, NBC, and ABC, along with an extensive on-demand library. Or, you can go with Paramount+. While Paramount+ doesn’t currently offer a standard free trial, you can get access through a Walmart+ trial, which includes the streamer as a membership perk.

Below, we break down all four options for streaming the show.

Editor’s Pick

DirecTV

➤ Five-day free trial
➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 185+ channels

Fubo

➤ Five-day free trial
➤ $64.99/month
➤ Up to 300+ channels

Hulu + Live TV

➤ $89.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 100+ channels

Paramount+ (Through Walmart+)

➤ $8.99/month
➤ Three-day free trial
➤ 15+ channels

2026 MTV Video Music Awards Date, Start Time

The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards premiere tonight, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV.