Fans hoping to watch the iconic opening of the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards were left furious when they tuned in to the network that was supposed to be airing it live and found a football game playing instead.The awards show, which is taking place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles and is being hosted by Snoop Dogg, kicked off at 7.30pm EST.It was supposed to air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, but viewers across the globe were left outraged when the network delayed showing the broadcast to instead show the Cowboys vs Ravens football game.As the ceremony began with an epic performance from Madonna and Sabrina Carpenter, it was impossible for people to watch due to the ongoing sporting event.’Hold tight, the 2026 #VMAs will take off after the football game finishes. Live, coming up on CBS and streaming on Paramount+!’ the official VMAs X account wrote in an update.Angry fans quickly took to the replies to slam the network and the VMAs. The awards show, which is taking place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles and is being hosted by Snoop Dogg, kicked off at 7.30pm EST It was supposed to air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, but viewers across the globe were left outraged when the network delayed showing the ceremony to instead show the Cowboys vs Ravens football game ‘I don’t give a f**k about the football game! Show me my VMAs!’ one user raged.’We paid 15 damn dollars to watch the MTV VMAs and @ParamountPlus still hasn’t started the stream. WTF?’ another wrote.’The VMAs really couldn’t pay and override the NFL the one time? What the hell,’ wondered someone else. ‘The VMAs already started and this damn football game is still on my screen,’ a different user added.’Embarrassing,’ someone else simply replied.’This is ridiculous and beyond frustrating. Should have aired live immediately on MTV,’ a sixth post read. The awards show didn’t start playing on the network until roughly 7.50pm, 20 minutes late, after the performance had finished and the first award was given out.Madonna and Carpenter started the event with a bang, taking to the stage to sing their hit song Bring Your Love.Charli XCX joined Madonna in a surprise performance for the hit Danceteria.