The star-studded event, held in a different European city every year, will be hosted by Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Sunday night with performances from Shawn Mendes, Teddy Swims and Benson Boone. Pop star Rita Ora will host the awards, where synth pop duo Pet Shop Boys will receive the first MTV EMA pop pioneers award and hip hop star Busta Rhymes will be honoured with the global icon award. The ceremony is returning for the first time since 2022, after last year’s event was cancelled over the “volatility of world events” following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.
The awards will be presented by celebrities including mother and daughter musicians Neneh Cherry and Mabel and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale as well as actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lucien Laviscount. US pop star Taylor Swift is leading the pack with nominations in seven categories, including best video, best artist, best live and best collaboration. British star Charli XCX is close behind with five nominations, after her album inspired this year’s Brat summer trend.
The singer-songwriter is in the running for awards including best collaboration, for Guess featuring Billie Eilish, best video and biggest fans. Raye, who is nominated in three categories, is due to perform at the event. She appears alongside Eilish, Swift, Beyonce, Sabrina Carpenter and Post Malone in the best artist category.
Also nominated for awards are pop star Dua Lipa, British rapper Central Cee and Oasis .