What Time Are the VMAs in 2025
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards will be held in Newark, New Jersey, at the Prudential Center. The ceremony will air live on MTV, with the pre-show beginning earlier the same day. Exact start times vary by region due to time zones, but in the Eastern Time Zone the pre-show typically starts around 6:00 PM ET and the main ceremony begins near 8:00 PM ET. Check local listings for Pacific and other zones. These timings reflect the established VMAs schedule pattern and remain consistent with prior years.
2025 VMAs Date and Location
For 2025, the VMAs will take place on a Sunday evening in late August at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. MTV has maintained a late-August slot for the VMAs in recent editions, which helps anchor expectations for the 2025 event. Holding the show in Newark continues the network’s strategy of featuring vibrant urban venues outside the traditional Los Angeles location. The city’s proximity to major East Coast media hubs supports live attendance and regional viewership.
VMAs Pre-Show Start Time
Pre-Show Windows and Live Coverage
The VMAs pre-show is a dedicated red carpet and live coverage block that precedes the main awards ceremony. In 2025, the pre-show is scheduled to begin at approximately 6:00 PM ET. This window allows for live arrivals, fan interactions, and early analysis ahead of the main show. Viewers in other time zones should adjust accordingly: 3:00 PM PT, 6:00 PM ET, and 7:00 PM AT. International audiences should check localized MTV feeds for region-specific timing and live stream availability.
Main VMAs Ceremony Start Time
When the Awards Begin
The main VMAs ceremony is slated to start around 8:00 PM ET on the event night. This timing provides a two-hour buffer following the pre-show for arrivals, music performances, and presentation segments. In Pacific Time, the ceremony will air near 5:00 PM PT; in Central Time, near 7:00 PM CT. Because the VMAs occasionally adjust their start by a small margin for network scheduling, confirm local listings in the days leading up to the show.
How to Watch the 2025 VMAs Live
- MTV Linear Channel: Television tuning to the MTV network in the United States.
- MTV App and MTV.com: Live stream for authenticated subscribers via participating cable providers and MTV’s digital platforms.
- Streaming TV Services: Platforms that carry MTV, including cable-based and over-the-top services that include the MTV app or network feeds.
- International Viewers: Local MTV channels and authorized partners; check regional schedules for exact timing and language options.
Plan Your Viewing Schedule
Use the following timeline to organize your viewing on VMAs night in 2025. Times are approximate and based on the Eastern Time Zone; adjust for your local zone accordingly.
| Event | Approximate ET Start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VMAs Pre-Show | 6:00 PM ET | Red carpet, live coverage, pre-analysis |
| VMAs Main Ceremony | 8:00 PM ET | Presentations, performances, winners announced |
| Post-Ceremony Wrap | 10:00–11:00 PM ET | Encore highlights, extended interviews |
Time Zone Conversion Quick Reference
Because the VMAs are broadcast live from the East Coast, fans in other regions should note these standard time differences. The times below assume Eastern Time as the reference. If daylight saving shifts have altered your local offset, adjust accordingly.
- Pacific Time (PT): Subtract 3 hours from ET
- Central Time (CT): Subtract 1 hour from ET
- Mountain Time (MT): Subtract 2 hours from ET
- Atlantic Time (AT): Add 1 hour to ET
- For international viewers, check your local MTV partner for exact timing and live stream details.
Why VMAs Timing Matters
Knowing the VMAs start time helps you coordinate live viewing, set reminders for performances, and plan attendance if you are traveling to Newark. The pre-show offers early access to fan moments and fashion, while the main ceremony delivers competitive categories and high-profile musical acts. Because the VMAs are an annual anchor event in the music and pop culture calendar, consistent timing makes it easier to integrate into your viewing routine year after year.
Evergreen Viewing Tips
- Set multiple reminders: once for the pre-show and once for the ceremony.
- If watching live isn’t possible, plan for highlights and encore streams later the same night.
- Follow MTV social channels for last-minute changes to start times or platform links.
- International fans should identify the local MTV partner early to avoid delays in finding the broadcast.
Final Takeaways
In short, the VMAs are scheduled for an early evening start in Newark, with the pre-show at about 6:00 PM ET and the main ceremony at about 8:00 PM ET. Localize these times to your time zone, confirm via local listings closer to the date, and use official MTV streams if you cannot watch via cable. These patterns have remained stable across recent editions, supporting a predictable viewing experience.
Check MTV’s official announcements in the weeks before September for any confirmed updates to the 2025 VMAs start time or scheduling adjustments. This approach ensures you are ready for live coverage of the performances, awards, and behind-the-scenes moments you care about.
Tags: music-awards, video-music-awards, vmas-2025