The MTV Video Music Awards announced last Friday that the COVID-influenced ceremony this year will not take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center as originally planned, with the VMAs instead opting for public-less open performances in and around New York City.
“The 2020 VMAs will be held on Sunday, August 30, and pay tribute to the incredible resilience of New York with various outdoor performances around the city with limited or no audience, following all state and city guidelines,” a spokeswoman for MTV and the Barclays Center said in a joint statement.
“In close consultation with state and local health officials, it became clear at this time that outside performances with a limited or no audience would be more nutritious and safer than an indoor event. The VMAs will mark the districts in an exciting performance and return to Barclays Center in 2021. “
In late June, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gave the VMAs permission to bring the incident to the Brooklyn arena if they followed all COVID-19 security measures, “including restraint as no public.” When the VMAs announced their nominees on July 30, MTV reiterated its plan to take over the empty Barclays Center, as well as performances without theater exploration in other districts.
However, with only three weeks to go before the 2020 VMAs, the network and the arena have decided against an indoor prize draw. “MTV will continue to work closely with the Department of Health, State and Local Government, the medical community, and key stakeholders to ensure the safety of all involved,” the statement added.
Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga lead the VMAs this year with nine nominations per piece, with Billie Eilish, the Weekend and Taylor Swift also running for multiple Moonmen.
