MADRID, March 16 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish capital city of Madrid will host the MTV European Music Awards, it was announced on Tuesday.

The city will host the 18th edition of the ceremony on Sunday November 7. The change of day from the usual Thursday will allow concerts and activity to take place in the city over the weekend.

In 2009 the Awards were held in Berlin and the group U2 played a live concert from the Brandenburg Gate.

"The event will be an excellent showcase for Spain," commented Spanish Tourism Minister Joan Mesquida.

"Madrid is joining the great European capital cities in playing host to the MTV Awards and there will be an ample program of concerts all over the city with a host of the most important national and international artists," added Miguel Angel Villanueva, for the Madrid Local Authority.