The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards are set to be one of the most high-profile and globally inclusive ceremonies in recent memory. Airing live from the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7, the event will be streamed on Paramount+, giving UK fans the chance to catch all the drama, performances, and Moon Person wins via international streaming and digital platforms.

At the centre of this year’s spotlight is none other than Lady Gaga, who leads with an impressive 12 nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year, and Song of the Year. Her critically acclaimed visual projects for ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘Die With a Smile’ (a duet with Bruno Mars) have put her in strong contention to win.

Bruno Mars follows closely with 11 nominations, while Kendrick Lamar claims 10, proving the ongoing power of hip-hop and R&B at the VMAs. Not far behind are Sabrina Carpenter and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, who each secured eight nominations, the latter making history as one of the few K-pop soloists to break into major categories.

The Artist of the Year category lists some of the world’s biggest names: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Morgan Wallen, and Kendrick Lamar join Gaga in challenging for the award. For Beyoncé or Swift, a win could break their current tie of 30 VMA trophies each, making either the most-awarded VMA artist of all time.

This year also marks a step forward in genre recognition, with the VMAs introducing two fan-voted categories: Best Pop Artist and Best Country. The move reflects the increasing crossover between genres and the role that global fanbases, especially those in the UK, Europe, and Asia, play in shaping modern music culture.

With its expanded reach, genre diversity, and global talent pool, the 2025 VMAs are no longer just an American pop culture staple, they’re a worldwide celebration of music, creativity, and fanbases, peaking the interest of fans this side of the pond.

For viewers in the UK, the VMAs are available to stream on Paramount+.