Road to the 2026 VMAs | Music + Culture
2026 VMAs Expand Performance Lineup: LISA, RAYE, Gunna, Shaboozey, SIENNA SPIRO, GENER8ION & Yung Lean Join the Stage
The latest performer announcement adds global pop, hip-hop, country and emerging talent to the September 27 broadcast as the Road to the 2026 VMAs continues.
Editorial written by Robyn Antonius
Urban Global Entertainment & Media
September 17, 2026
The road to the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards continues to take shape as CBS and MTV reveal another wave of performers scheduled to take the stage when the VMAs air live on Sunday, September 27.
The newly announced lineup includes GENER8ION and Yung Lean, LISA, RAYE, Shaboozey, Gunna and SIENNA SPIRO, adding an international mix of pop, hip-hop, country and emerging music to this year’s show.
The artists join previously announced show opener Madonna, while Snoop Dogg is set to host the 2026 ceremony.
GENER8ION & Yung Lean
GENER8ION and Yung Lean will make their first VMA stage appearance with a world-premiere performance of “STORM II.” The first-time nominees enter the ceremony with nominations including Video of the Year, Best Direction and Best Choreography.
LISA
LISA will return to the VMA stage for the television debut of her new single “SaWaDiKa,” from her forthcoming EP “PRESS PLAY,” scheduled for release October 23.
The global artist enters this year’s ceremony with four nominations and 10 career VMA nominations. Her continued presence at the awards reflects the increasingly global reach of the VMA stage and the growing influence of K-pop across mainstream American music.
RAYE
British singer-songwriter and producer RAYE will make her VMA performance debut. The two-time VMA winner has two nominations this year, including Song of the Year for “Where Is My Husband!”
The appearance follows her North American touring activity and comes as RAYE continues expanding her presence across music and film.
Shaboozey & Gunna
Shaboozey will make his VMA performance debut with “Cowgirl,” which has surpassed 100 million official streams according to the event’s press announcement.
He will also be joined by Gunna for the first televised performance of their collaboration “High Noon.”
Shaboozey enters the ceremony with nominations for Best Country and Best Cinematography, while Gunna has received two nominations.
SIENNA SPIRO
First-time nominee SIENNA SPIRO will also make her VMA performance debut while competing for Best New Artist.
Her inclusion among this year’s performers places another emerging artist on one of music’s largest televised stages as the VMAs continue pairing established global acts with rising talent.
The 2026 VMAs
The 2026 MTV Video Music Awards will air live Sunday, September 27, from 7:30–9:30 PM ET / 4:30–6:30 PM PT on CBS.
The ceremony will also be simulcast on MTV and streamed on Paramount+ Premium in the United States, with global availability following on Paramount+ and MTV.
Additional performers, presenters and special guests are expected to be announced ahead of the ceremony.
The 2026 VMAs are produced by Gunpowder & Sky. Official sponsors announced for this year’s event include BACARDÍ Rum, Dunkin’, The General Insurance, Gillette Venus, Spotify, Tide evo and Under Armour.
Urban Global Entertainment & Media — Road to the 2026 VMAs
Urban Global Entertainment & Media will continue its remote editorial coverage leading into the September 27 ceremony, following performer announcements, music, culture, fashion and major developments surrounding the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Continue following Road to the 2026 VMAs on UrbanGlobalEnt.com for additional coverage as the show approaches.
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Source: Original editorial coverage by Urban Global Entertainment & Media based on official 2026 MTV Video Music Awards press materials distributed by CBS/MTV.