2025 VMAs: How To Watch + Top Nominees
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Posted on Aug 15, 2025 | 11:00am
An awards show that's an event, and an event that's next level: It's the VMAs. And this year, for the first time ever, the big show will air live on CBS – and stream live on Paramount+ (with the Paramount+ Premium plan).
Read on, and get our guide to the 2025 VMAs, including a look at the top nominees, plus info on all the ways you can watch the show. After this briefing, there'll be no excuse for missing even a second of the iconic performances, monumental Moon Person wins, and other culture-defining moments.
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2025 VMAs
Note: The 2025 VMAs can be streamed live on Paramount+ as the show airs on CBS with the Paramount+ Premium plan. The event can be streamed on demand, on the day after it airs live, on Paramount+ with any Paramount+ plan, including the Paramount+ Essential plan.
And don't forget, you can watch the CBS broadcast live on your TV via your local CBS TV station using cable, satellite, or a digital antenna.
Here's a rundown of the categories that you can vote on:
And here are some more factoids about fan voting for the 2025 VMAs:
LL COOL J and the VMAs go way back. He won a Moon Person in 1991 for Best Rap, and received the Video Vanguard Award in 1997 – the first hip-hop artist so honored. As a performer, he took the stage at the 2023 and 2024 shows.
This year, in addition to being the VMAs host, LL COOL J is a nominee. His single “Murdergram Deaux” (featuring Eminem), off of his 2024 critically acclaimed album The Force, is a contender in the Best Hip-Hop category.
Other top 2025 VMA nominees include Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and ROSÉ, who doubles as a first-time VMA nominee.
Here's a list of this year’s most nominated artists:
Elsewhere, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will continue their race for most-ever VMA wins. Both artists enter the 2025 VMAs with 30 career wins. At this year's show, each has one nomination – and it's in the same category: Artist of the Year.
VIDEO OF THE YEAR
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Read on, and get our guide to the 2025 VMAs, including a look at the top nominees, plus info on all the ways you can watch the show. After this briefing, there'll be no excuse for missing even a second of the iconic performances, monumental Moon Person wins, and other culture-defining moments.
When are the 2025 VMAs?
The 2025 VMAs, formally known as the Video Music Awards, are scheduled to be held on Sunday, Sept. 7. The show has been held annually since 1984.Where can I watch and stream the 2025 VMAs live?
You can watch and stream 2025 VMAs live in more ways than ever. Check out the outline below.2025 VMAs
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025
- Time: 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
- Location: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
- Channel: CBS
- Simulcast: MTV
- Streaming: Paramount+ (various plans)
Note: The 2025 VMAs can be streamed live on Paramount+ as the show airs on CBS with the Paramount+ Premium plan. The event can be streamed on demand, on the day after it airs live, on Paramount+ with any Paramount+ plan, including the Paramount+ Essential plan.
And don't forget, you can watch the CBS broadcast live on your TV via your local CBS TV station using cable, satellite, or a digital antenna.
What devices can I watch the 2025 VMAs on?
With a Paramount+ subscription, you can watch the 2025 VMAs live, and/or on demand on a number of devices and screens. Find your device from the list below, and read the instructions on how to get started with the Paramount+ app:- Computer or mobile web
- iPhone or iPad
- Android phone or tablet
- Apple TV (4th generation or later)
- Android TV
- Fire TV
- Portal TV
- Roku
- LG TV
- Samsung TV
- Vizio TV
- Xbox
- PlayStation 4 and 5
- Xfinity device
- Cox Contour box
- Gemini
Where are the 2025 VMAs held?
The 2025 VMAs are to be held in UBS Arena, the home of pro-hockey games and more, located in Elmont, New York, on Long Island. UBS Arena was also the site of the 2024 VMAs.Can fans vote on the 2025 VMAs?
Fans can vote on 19 categories for the 2025 VMAs. To help determine who'll receive Moon Person trophies, visit vote.mtv.com now through 6 PM ET/3 PM PT on Friday, Sept. 5. There is one exception to the deadline: Voting for the Best New Artist category is to remain open into the live show on Sunday, Sept. 7.Here's a rundown of the categories that you can vote on:
- Video of the Year
- Artist of the Year
- Song of the Year
- Best New Artist
- Best Pop Artist
- PUSH Performance of the Year
- Best Collaboration
- Best Pop
- Best Hip-Hop
- Best R&B
- Best Alternative
- Best Rock
- Best Latin
- Best K-Pop
- Best Afrobeats
- Best Country
- Best Album
- Best Long Form Video
- Video for Good
And here are some more factoids about fan voting for the 2025 VMAs:
- ➡️ You can vote up to 10 times a day.
- ➡️ At 12 PM ET/9 AM PT on Monday, Aug. 18, the nominees for Song of the Year, now at 10, will narrow to six.
- ➡️ If you want your vote to count more, then vote during the so-called “Power Hour.” Any votes cast from 1-2 PM ET/10-11 AM PT now through Thursday, Sept. 4, will count double.
Who is hosting the 2025 VMAs?
LL COOL J is set to host the 2025 VMAs. This hip-hop trailblazer, GRAMMY® winner, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee will take solo hosting duties for the first time. He previously co-emceed in 2022 with Nicki Minaj and Jack Harlow.LL COOL J and the VMAs go way back. He won a Moon Person in 1991 for Best Rap, and received the Video Vanguard Award in 1997 – the first hip-hop artist so honored. As a performer, he took the stage at the 2023 and 2024 shows.
This year, in addition to being the VMAs host, LL COOL J is a nominee. His single “Murdergram Deaux” (featuring Eminem), off of his 2024 critically acclaimed album The Force, is a contender in the Best Hip-Hop category.
Who are 2025 VMAs performers?
Performers for the 2025 VMAs have not been announced as of publication. Typically, the lineup is unveiled a week or two before the ceremony. At the 2024 show, performers included Sabrina Carpenter, up for eight awards at this year's show, as well as Eminem, Katy Perry, Lenny Kravitz, Chappell Roan, and LL COOL J, featuring Public Enemy. Check back here for updates on the 2025 VMA performers.Top 2025 VMAs nominees to watch
At the 2025 VMAs, Lady Gaga leads all contenders with 12 nominations, including ones for Video of the Year and Artist of the Year. This marks the third time Gaga has led the VMAs nominations field; she previously dominated in 2010, when she scored 13 nods, and in 2020, when she tied Ariana Grande, with nine noms.Other top 2025 VMA nominees include Bruno Mars, Kendrick Lamar, and ROSÉ, who doubles as a first-time VMA nominee.
Here's a list of this year’s most nominated artists:
- 12 nominations: Lady Gaga
- 11 nominations: Bruno Mars
- 10 nominations: Kendrick Lamar
- Eight nominations: ROSÉ, Sabrina Carpenter
- Seven nominations: Ariana Grande, The Weeknd
- Six nominations: Billie Eilish
- Five nominations: Charli xcx
- Four nominations: Bad Bunny, Doechii, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, Miley Cyrus, Tate McRae
Elsewhere, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift will continue their race for most-ever VMA wins. Both artists enter the 2025 VMAs with 30 career wins. At this year's show, each has one nomination – and it's in the same category: Artist of the Year.
2025 VMAs major categories
There are 25 total categories at the 2025 VMAs. See below for a rundown of two of the most closely watched categories, plus the nominees:VIDEO OF THE YEAR
- “Brighter Days Ahead," Ariana Grande
- “Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish
- “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar
- “Die With A Smile,” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
- “APT.,” ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
- “Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
- “Timeless,” The Weeknd, Playboi Carti
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Kendrick Lamar
- Lady Gaga
- Morgan Wallen
- Taylor Swift
- The Weeknd
2025 VMAs new categories
There are two new categories at the 2025 VMA awards:- Best Pop Artist
- Best Country