NEW YORK (Reuters) - It's empty now, but soon Madison Square Garden will be filled with some of the world's biggest stars.

MTV invited the press in to see the set up for the 2016 Video Music Awards in New York.

This is the first time the event, advertised by organisers as "an unforgettable night of music and moments" at Madison Square Garden.

"When you do a show at Madison Square Garden everyone brings it like that because it's the Garden, it's New York City, it's the Mecca. So I think every performance on Sunday night is going to elevate" said executive producer Jesse Ignjatovic.

Sure to get a great view of all the antics are Britney Spears, Alicia Keys and Rita Ora who are all seated directly in front of the stage.

One of the anticipated planned moments includes Rihanna receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

"I think everyone wants to tune-in for Rihanna I think from very beginning of the show because she's going to set the tone. And what's she doing with the Video Vanguard moment is like no one has ever done" said Ignjatovic.

Reports say producers have given rapper Kanye West the freedom to do whatever he wants with his time, however this producer would neither confirm or deny.

"He always does, doesn't he? You know, were happy to have him coming and I'm excited to hear what he's going to do" said Ignjatovic.

The show will air live on MTV on Aug 28.