Just when we thought the 2025 MTV VMAs couldn’t get any more chaotic (in the best way possible), MTV just dropped another bomb: the social categories are officially here. That’s right — Best Group and Song of the Summer are back, and this year’s nominees are giving us everything from boy band nostalgia to hot-girl anthems that dominated our playlists.
Voting goes down entirely on @MTV’s Instagram Stories, which means your taps could literally change pop culture history. Here’s the breakdown:
For Best Group, it’s bracket-style voting starting Tuesday, September 2 at 11AM ET. Expect chaos as Backstreet Boys and My Chemical Romance go head-to-head with K-pop powerhouses like SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, and BLACKPINK. Meanwhile, rising acts like Fuerza Regida and KATSEYE are making their first appearances. Fans will battle it out until Saturday, September 6 at 11AM ET when the winner is crowned.
For Song of the Summer, the ultimate fan-favorite showdown kicks off Saturday, September 6 at 11AM ET and wraps Sunday, September 7 at 11AM ET, just hours before the big show. Nominees range from Sabrina Carpenter’s sassy “Manchild” and Doja Cat’s brand-new “Jealous Type” to Addison Rae’s buzzy debut “Headphones On” and Morgan Wallen x Tate McRae’s cross-genre collab “What I Want.” Yes, TikTok is about to implode.
With these new nods, Tate McRae is officially a six-time nominee this year, tying with Billie Eilish. Sabrina Carpenter adds her ninth nomination (queen behavior), while Alex Warren proves his breakout year is very real with four nods total. Lady Gaga still leads the pack with 12, followed closely by Bruno Mars (11) and Kendrick Lamar (10). You can view a full list of nominees here.
But that’s not all. To really get us in the VMAs spirit, MTV is rolling out a full week of 24/7 music videos across MTV2, MTV Live, MTV Classic and Pluto TV starting September 1. We’re talking 700+ videos (some we haven’t seen in over a decade), curated into themed blocks celebrating everything from pop queens to pop-punk angst, complete with commentary from icons like Olivia Rodrigo, Paris Hilton, Wyclef Jean, Pauly D, Chappell Roan, and Doja Cat. Basically, your screen time is booked.
Of course, this is all leading up to the main event: the 2025 MTV VMAs, hosted by LL COOL J, broadcasting live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, September 7 at 8PM ET/5PM PT on CBS, MTV, and streaming on Paramount+.
In case you missed it, the performers list is already stacked with a mix of legends and new-school hitmakers. Alex Warren is making his VMAs debut with his viral hit “Ordinary” (and chasing his first Moon Person in three categories). Busta Rhymes will be honored with the first-ever Rock the Bells Visionary Award, proving his decades-long dominance in hip-hop. J Balvin returns with his track “Zun Zun” and is teaming with DJ Snake for the live premiere of “Noventa,” while Ricky Martin makes history as the first-ever Latin Icon Award recipient — 26 years after his iconic 1999 VMAs debut. Sabrina Carpenter is also performing (and eyeing eight Moon People this year), and rising alt star sombr will hit the stage for his first-ever award show performance with his breakout “back to friends.” Plus, Conan Gray is making his main stage debut, Doja Cat is dropping her first televised performance of “Jealous Type”, Jelly Roll is nominated in three different genres), Post Malone is returning for the first time since 2018, and Tate McRae is snagging her first main stage slot. And don’t forget the moment of the night — Mariah Carey receiving the Video Vanguard Award with a career-spanning medley that’s guaranteed to break the internet.
Between fan-driven chaos on socials, legendary throwbacks on TV, and a live show that’s pulling no punches, the 2025 VMAs are shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable — and unmissable — nights in music.
