2026 MTV VMAs: How to watch live for free this Sunday

Taylor Swift accepts the award for video of the year for "Anti-Hero" during the MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)Charles Sykes/Invision/APIf you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.By Josie Howell | jhowell@al.comThe 2026 MTV Video Music Awards air live Sunday, Sept. 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. PT). You can watch on CBS or MTV. Snoop Dogg hosts from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, with Madonna set to open the ceremony. Those without basic cable can stream the VMAs live for free with Fubo or DirecTV Stream, both offer free trials for new subscribers. Just cancel your subscription before the free trial is over. Fubo offers a 5-day free trial while DirecTV Stream also offers a 5-day free trial.The 2026 VMAs will also stream live on Paramount+ Premium, which costs $13.99 a month, however, there is no free trial. This is the better option for those who already subscribe (or can use someone else’s account). The Premium subscription is required to watch live. Paramount+ Essential subscribers can stream the full ceremony on demand starting Monday, Sept. 28.Who is hosting the 2026 MTV VMAs?Snoop Dogg hosts the VMAs for the first time and also serves as an executive producer. He previously performed at the awards show and has won three VMAs. This year’s ceremony marks the show’s return to the Los Angeles area for the first time since 2017. Who is performing at the 2026 MTV VMAs?Madonna opens the show in her first VMA performance since 2003. The announced lineup also includes LISA, RAYE, Sienna Spiro, Shaboozey, Gunna, GENER8ION and Yung Lean. LISA is scheduled to perform her new single “SaWaDiKa,” while GENER8ION and Yung Lean will debut “STORM II” onstage. The ceremony will also feature Kacey Musgraves in a tribute to Dolly Parton. RAYE, sombr and Teddy Swims are set to perform a George Michael tribute. Will Taylor Swift be at the 2026 VMAs?Swift will receive the first MTV VMA Artist Director Honors, an award recognizing her work behind the camera. Her new “Patient Zero” music video is also scheduled to premiere during Sunday’s broadcast. MTV has not announced a Swift performance. Swift enters the show tied with Beyoncé at 30 career VMA wins. Madonna leads this year’s competitive nominations with 11, followed by Swift with nine. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter have seven apiece. Nirvana will receive the Video Vanguard Award. Can you watch the VMAs the next day?Yes. Paramount+ Premium subscribers can watch the show live Sunday. Starting Monday, Sept. 28, the ceremony will be available on demand to subscribers on either the Premium or Essential plan.How to watch “The Little Girl Who Didn’t Exist” on LMN tonightHow to watch Lifetime’s ‘The Ocean Between Them’ premiere for freeHow to watch 2026 Emmys for free tonight, channel, nomineesDave Chappelle announces dates for his 2026 Arena TourHow to watch ‘Jeopardy! Masters’ season 4 premiere for free tonightJosie Howell is a commerce and news writer for AL.com where she primarily focuses on shopping and streaming content. She began her career in 2019 as an editor for The Chanticleer, Jacksonville State...