MTV Bringing Video Music Awards Back To New Jersey For 2022

NEWARK, NJ — MTV is returning to New Jersey’s largest city for its annual Video Music Awards.

On Thursday, MTV announced that it will hold the 2022 Video Music Awards (VMAs) at the Prudential Center in Newark on Sunday, Aug. 28.

According to MTV, the event will air in more than 170 countries and territories, reaching more than 420 million households. No details about this year’s guests and performers were immediately available.

“Health and safety remains the number one priority for MTV and the Prudential Center,” spokespeople said. “We are working hand-in-hand with state and local officials to implement stringent protocols in order to maintain the safety and well-being of artists, fans, staff and partners.”

The Prudential Center’s current health and safety protocols can be found here. Additional protocols will be announced closer to the event, organizers said.

Thursday’s announcement got a big thumbs-up from Gov. Phil Murphy and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

“New Jersey is honored to once again host the MTV Video Music Awards at one of our many world-class entertainment and sports venues,” Murphy said. “Our state has a proud history of supporting the arts and is always seeking opportunities to partner with the entertainment industry to promote economic development and cultural appreciation.”

Baraka said the city is excited to have the MTV Video Music Awards return this year.

“It is fitting that Newark is once again the host city, as it is the birthplace of many of the biggest names in music, and has so much to offer its visitors – a vibrant arts and culture scene, historic downtown and diverse cuisine,” Baraka said.

“On behalf of Newark residents, we are happy to welcome everyone attending and are very much looking forward to one of the biggest nights in entertainment,” he added.

MTV set a milestone for itself in 2019, when it brought the VMAs to Newark – and New Jersey – for the first time. Performers that year included Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes and Lizzo. Read More: MTV To Hold Video Music Awards In Newark

While the event saw widespread fanfare, it was also the site of a protest for “clean water,” spearheaded by local residents fed up over the city’s lead water crisis. Read More: Protest For Clean Water Ignites Outside MTV Awards In Newark

The city has since made major progress on that front, with Vice President Kamala Harris coming to Newark in February to praise its progress combatting the contamination. Read More: Lead Pipes And Newark; Kamala Harris Returns To NJ To Praise City

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