Where can I watch the VMAs? Here's how to tune in to music's big night

We have all the intel so that you don't miss a second of the evening

olivia rodrigo on stage at the 2021 vmas receiving an award
(Image credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Anxious to check out one of the biggest nights in music? We've got you covered. 

We know "All Too Well" that you're crossing your fingers to see your favorite singers and bands walk away from the VMAs victorious, moon person at hand. Whether you're rooting for Adele (naturally) and rocking out to the Foo Fighters in preparation, we'll make sure you don't miss a minute of the fun. 

One thing's for sure, your Spotify Color Palette tool is sure to generate plenty of cool hues thanks to the wide range of artists. 

Where can I watch the VMAs?

You can catch 2022'S MTV Video Music Awards live on Sunday, August 28 at 8pm ET on a wide variety of channels, including:

  • MTV (of course)
  • MTV2
  • VH1
  • BET
  • the CW
  • BET Her
  • CMT
  • Comedy Central
  • Logo
  • Nickelodeon (yes, really)
  • Paramount Network
  • Pop
  • TVLand

Should you not have cable access, you can stream the event on Hulu+ Live TV and YouTube TV, both of which have free promotions going on right now! 

Another option for those without cable who might not be in the US should consider a VPN, which allows you to change your IP address so you can browse anonymously and change your IP address so that your mobile, computer or laptop thinks it's in another location. We recommend Express VPN, the top-rated service by our colleagues at TechRadar.

Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J and Jack Harlow are the three emcees for the evening. 

Where are the VMAs held?

Though the event has hopped around from coast to coast, this year's show will take place at the Prudential Center in New Jersey. 

VMA Nominations

Make sure to visit the MTV website and cast your vote so that your favorites walk away with a W. You can vote up to 10 times per day. At the time of publication, 4pm ET on August 24, there are eight hours left to vote.

Video of the Year

  • Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • Drake ft. Future, Young Thug: “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic
  • Ed Sheeran: “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
  • Harry Styles: “As It Was“ – Columbia Records
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo: “Brutal” – Geffen Records
  • Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) – Republic Records

Artist of the Year

  • Bad Bunny – Rimas Entertainment
  • Drake – OVO / Republic
  • Ed Sheeran – Atlantic Records
  • Harry Styles – Columbia Records
  • Jack Harlow – Generation Now / Atlantic Records
  • Lil Nas X – Columbia Records
  • Lizzo – Atlantic Records

Song of the Year

  • Adele: “Easy on Me” – Columbia Records
  • Billie Eilish: “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
  • Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • Elton John, Dua Lipa: “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
  • Lizzo: “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
  • The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber: “Stay” – Columbia Records

Adele performing at hyde park in 2022

(Image credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Adele)

Best New Artist

  • Baby Keem – Columbia Records
  • Dove Cameron – Disruptor Records / Columbia Records
  • Gayle – Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
  • Latto – Streamcut / RCA Records
  • Måneskin – Arista Records
  • Seventeen – Pledis Entertainment / Geffen Records

Push Performance of the Year 

  • Griff: “One Night” – Warner Records
  • Remi Wolf: “Sexy Villain” – Island Records
  • Nessa Barrett: “I Hope Ur Miserable Until Ur Dead” – Warner Records
  • Seventeen: “Rock With You” – Pledis Entertainment / Geffen Records
  • Mae Muller: “Better Days” – Capitol Records U.K.
  • Gayle: “abcdefu” Atlantic Records / Arthouse Records
  • Shenseea: “R U That” – Rich Immigrants / Interscope Records
  • Omar Apollo: “Tamagotchi” – Warner Records
  • Wet Leg: “Chaise Longue” – Domino Recording Company
  • Muni Long: “Baby Boo” – Supergiant Records LLC / Def Jam Recording
  • Doechii: “Persuasive” – Top Dog Entertainment / Capitol Records

Best Collaboration

  • Drake ft. Future, Young Thug: “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic
  • Elton John, Dua Lipa: “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” – EMI / Interscope Records
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa: “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
  • Post Malone, The Weeknd: “One Right Now” – Mercury Records / Republic Records
  • Rosalía ft. The Weeknd: “La Fama” – Columbia Records
  • The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber: “Stay” – Columbia Records

Megan Thee Stallion on stage at ParkLife in Manchester

(Image credit: Burak Cingi/Contributor/Getty Images)

Best Pop

  • Billie Eilish: “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
  • Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • Ed Sheeran: “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
  • Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
  • Lizzo: “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo: “Traitor” – Geffen Records

Best Hip-Hop

  • Eminem, Snoop Dogg: “From the D 2 the LBC” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
  • Future ft. Drake, Tems: “Wait for U” – Freebandz / Epic Records
  • Kendrick Lamar:  “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
  • Latto: “Big Energy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
  • Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby: “Do We Have a Problem?” – Young Money / Cash Money / Republic Records
  • Pusha T: “Diet Coke” – G.O.O.D. Music / Def Jam

Best Alternative

  • Avril Lavigne ft. Blackbear: “Love It When You Hate Me” – Elektra Music Group / DTA Records
  • Imagine Dragons, JID: “Enemy” – KIDinaKORNER / Interscope Records
  • Machine Gun Kelly ft. Willow: “Emo Girl” – Bad Boy / Interscope Records
  • Måneskin: “I Wanna Be Your Slave” – Arista Records
  • Panic! at the Disco: “Viva Las Vengeance” – Fueled by Ramen / Elektra Music Group
  • Twenty One Pilots: “Saturday” – Fueled by Ramen / Elektra Music Group
  • Willow, Avril Lavigne ft. Travis Barker: “G R O W” – MSFTSMusic / Roc Nation Records

Machine Gun kelly in the MGK Hulu doc, Life in Pink, sitting in pink bathroom with guitar

(Image credit: Michael Muller/Hulu)

Best Rock

  • Foo Fighters: “Love Dies Young” – RCA Records
  • Jack White: “Taking Me Back” – Third Man Records
  • Muse: “Won’t Stand Down” – Warner Records
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers: “Black Summer” – Warner Records
  • Shinedown: “Planet Zero” – Elektra Music Group
  • Three Days Grace: “So Called Life” – RCA Records

Best Latin

  • Anitta: “Envolver” – Warner Records
  • Bad Bunny: “Tití Me Preguntó” – Rimas Entertainment
  • Becky G, Karol G: “Mamiii” – Kemosabe Records / Sony Music Latin / RCA Records
  • Daddy Yankee: “Remix” – Republic Records
  • Farruko: “Pepas” – Sony Music U.S. Latin
  • J Balvin, Skrillex: “In Da Getto” – Sueños Globales, LLC /Universal Music Latino / Asylum Records U.K.

Best R&B

  • Alicia Keys: “City of Gods (Part II)” – AKW
  • Chlöe: “Have Mercy” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
  • H.E.R.: “For Anyone” – RCA Records
  • Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
  • Summer Walker, SZA, Cardi B: “No Love” (Extended Version) – LVRN / Interscope Records
  • The Weeknd: “Out Of Time” – XO / Republic Records

H.E.R. on stage

(Image credit: Jim Dyson/Getty Images)

Best K-pop

  • BTS: “Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
  • Itzy: “Loco” – JYP Entertainment
  • Lisa:  “Lalisa” – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
  • Seventeen: “Hot” – Pledis Entertainment / Geffen Records
  • Stray Kids: “Maniac” – JYP Entertainment
  • Twice: “The Feels” – JYP Entertainment

Video for Good

  • Kendrick Lamar: “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
  • Latto: “P*ssy” – Streamcut / RCA Records
  • Lizzo: “About Damn Time” – Atlantic Records
  • Rina Sawayama: “This Hell” – Dirty Hit
  • Stromae: ”Fils de Joie” – Mosaert Label / The Darkroom / Interscope Records

Best Metaverse Performance

  • Blackpink the Virtual | PUBG – YG Entertainment / Interscope Records
  • BTS | Minecraft – BIGHIT Music / Geffen Records
  • Charli XCX | Roblox – Atlantic Records
  • Justin Bieber – An Interactive Virtual Experience | Wave – Def Jam
  • Rift Tour ft. Ariana Grande | Fortnite – Republic Records
  • Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience | Roblox – Fueled by Ramen / Elektra Music Group

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 2020: Justin Bieber poses during a new studio photo shoot August 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Rosenthal/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Mike Rosenthal /Getty Images)

Best Longform Video

  • Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles – Darkroom / Interscope Records
  • Foo Fighters: Studio 666 – RCA Records
  • Kacey Musgraves: Star-Crossed – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
  • Madonna: Madame X - Interscope Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U – Geffen Records
  • Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) – Republic Records

Best Cinematography 

  • Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar: “Family Ties” – Columbia Records
  • Camila Cabello ft. Ed Sheeran: “Bam Bam” – Epic Records
  • Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
  • Kendrick Lamar: “N95” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
  • Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records
  • Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) – Republic Records

Best Direction

  • Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar: “Family Ties” – Columbia Records
  • Billie Eilish: “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
  • Ed Sheeran: “Shivers” – Atlantic Records
  • Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) – Republic Records

Taylor Swift attends the "All Too Well" New York Premiere on November 12, 2021 in New York City.

(Image credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Best Art Direction

  • Adele: “Oh My God” – Columbia Records
  • Doja Cat: “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • Drake ft. Future, Young Thug: “Way 2 Sexy” – OVO / Republic Records
  • Kacey Musgraves: “Simple Times” – Interscope Records / MCA Nashville
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Megan Thee Stallion ft. Dua Lipa: “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment

Best Visual Effects

  • Billie Eilish: “Happier Than Ever” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
  • Coldplay, BTS: “My Universe” – Atlantic Records
  • Kendrick Lamar: “The Heart Part 5” – pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment / Aftermath / Interscope Records
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa: “Sweetest Pie” – 300 Entertainment
  • The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber: “Stay” – Columbia Records

Best Choreography

  • BTS: “Permission to Dance” – Bighit Music / Geffen Records
  • Doja Cat: “Woman” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • FKA twigs ft. The Weeknd: “Tears In The Club” – Atlantic Records
  • Harry Styles: “As It Was” – Columbia Records
  • Lil Nas X, Jack Harlow: “Industry Baby” – Columbia Records
  • Normani ft. Cardi B: “Wild Side” – Keep Cool / RCA Records

Harry Styles at coachella 2022

(Image credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Harry Styles)

Best Editing

  • Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar: “Family Ties” – Columbia Records
  • Doja Cat: “Get Into It (Yuh)” – Kemosabe Records / RCA Records
  • Olivia Rodrigo: “Brutal” – Geffen Records
  • Rosalía: “Saoko” – Columbia Records
  • Taylor Swift: “All Too Well” (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) – Republic Records
  • The Weeknd: “Take My Breath” – XO / Republic Records

Group of the Year

  • Blackpink
  • BTS
  • City Girls
  • Foo Fighters
  • Imagine Dragons
  • Måneskin
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Silk Sonic

Song of the Summer

  • Bad Bunny & Chencho Corleone: “Me Porto Bonito”
  • Beyoncé: “Break My Soul”
  • Charlie Puth: “Left And Right (feat. Jung Kook of BTS)”
  • Doja Cat: “Vegas (From the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Elvis)”
  • Future ft. Drake, Tems: “Wait For U”
  • Harry Styles: “Late Night Talking”
  • Jack Harlow: “First Class”
  • Kane Brown: “Grand”
  • Latto x Mariah Carey: “Big Energy (Remix) ft. DJ Khaled”
  • Lizzo: “About Damn Time”
  • Marshmello x Khalid: “Numb”
  • Nicki Minaj: “Super Freaky Girl”
  • Nicky Youre, Dazy: “Sunroof”
  • Post Malone with Doja Cat: “I Like You (A Happier Song)”
  • Rosalía: “Bizcochito”
  • Steve Lacy: “Bad Habit”

Lizzo on the Met Gala red carpet 2022

(Image credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

Album of the Year

  • Adele: 30
  • Bad Bunny: Un Verano Sin Ti
  • Billie Eilish: Happier Than Ever
  • Drake: Certified Lover Boy
  • Harry Styles: Harry’s House

Who's performing at the VMAs?

No matter your genre of choice, the live performances at the 2022 event have all fans covered. Here's who's on the lineup:

  • Anitta
  • Blackpink
  • Dove Cameron (pre-show)
  • J Balvin
  • Jack Harlow 
  • Kane Brown 
  • Lizzo
  • Måneskin
  • Marshmello x Khalid
  • Nicki Minaj (2022 VMA Video Vanguard Award Recipient)
  • Panic! At the Disco 
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers (2022 VMA Global Icon Award Recipient)
  • Saucy Santana (pre-show)
  • Yung Gravy (pre-show)

May the best artist win! See you on Sunday, folks.

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 


When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.