Madonna is set to deliver the VMAs opening performance on Sunday, 27 September, her first live performance at the awards in 23 years, CBS and MTV announced. The show will come from Los Angeles and will be hosted by Snoop Dogg. This is a planned appearance, not a report that the performance has already happened.
VMAs opening performance: the gap since 2003
Madonna last performed at the VMAs in 2003, when Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera joined her for the opening set, according to Billboard’s performers list. Her scheduled appearance would be the first since then. The VMAs opening performance would also be her fifth time opening the show; Billboard says she and Rihanna were tied at four openers each before this year’s ceremony.
The booking follows the release of Confessions II, which Paramount’s announcement describes as Madonna’s new No. 1 album.
When the 2026 VMAs air in the UAE
The live CBS broadcast starts at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on 27 September, with a two-hour running time, Billboard reports. That converts to 3:30 a.m. GST on Monday, 28 September, with the scheduled end at 5:30 a.m. Paramount says the show will be available globally on Paramount+ and MTV the following day. Its announcement lists Paramount+ Premium for the US stream but gives no UAE-specific platform or listing details.
What will Madonna perform at the 2026 VMAs?
The announcements reviewed name Madonna as the opener but do not list songs, staging or special guests. Any reported set list remains unconfirmed unless a later official update provides it.
Should UAE viewers subscribe to Paramount+ for the live show?
The announcement does not confirm UAE access to the live broadcast. It is not enough to establish that a local subscription includes the show, so check the UAE service listing before subscribing.
