The main MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) ceremony typically runs about 3 hours from start to finish.

Quick Scoop: How long are the VMAs?

  • Recent VMAs usually start at 8 p.m. ET and wrap up around 11 p.m. ET.
  • Some years are listed slightly under that (about 2 hours 45 minutes), but they still land close to the 3‑hour mark once you factor in live timing.
  • There’s often a pre-show before the main event (red carpet, interviews, early performances) that can add another 1–1.5 hours if you watch everything.

So, if you only care about the main awards broadcast, plan on about three hours; if you include the pre-show, you’re looking at roughly 4 hours total viewing time.

Mini breakdown

  • Pre-show : usually starts around 6:30–7 p.m. ET, runs about an hour or a bit more.
  • Main show : starts at 8 p.m. ET, “scheduled” for about 2:45–3:00 hours.
  • Reality check : live shows can spill a bit over, but networks often block a 3‑hour slot and then re-air the show afterward.

TL;DR: The VMAs themselves are about 3 hours long, with total “VMA night” time closer to 4 hours if you count the pre-show.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.