Nashville’s Biggest Weekend Returns:
CMA Fest Presented by SoFi Delivers Four Days and Nights
of Country Music in the Heart of Nashville
CMA Fest 2026 Draws Estimated 100,000 Daily Fans to Nashville
Portion of Festival Proceeds Fuels a More Than $2 Million Gift to the CMA Foundation, Strengthening Music Education Programs Nationwide
Don’t Miss the Festival’s Biggest Moments When Riley Green and Lara Spencer Host “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” Airing Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c on ABC and Next Day on Hulu
NASHVILLE— CMA Fest presented by SoFi, the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, returned to downtown Nashville for its 53rd year this past weekend, welcoming an estimated 100,000 daily fans from across the globe for four days of live music, artist discovery, and unforgettable moments. From all 50 states and 39 international countries, fans descended on Music City for four days and nights where the music never stopped and the surprises never quit. From Russell Dickerson welcoming Nashville’s own RePublic High School marching band students to help him kick off CMA Fest at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday morning, to Nissan Stadium surprises including Florida Georgia Line‘s highly anticipated return, Jelly Roll‘s surprise set, and Fetty Wap joining Russell Dickerson for a moment no one saw coming, more than 90 acts making their CMA Fest debut throughout the weekend, CMA Fest 2026 delivered standout memories at every turn.
One of the weekend’s most powerful moments came Sunday morning when Brandon Lake brought Cowboy Church to the Chevy Riverfront Stage, a worship experience that drew special guests Dan + Shay, Lainey Wilson, and CeCe Winans to the stage. And in a fitting close to the final CMA Fest at the current Nissan Stadium, Luke Bryan brought the weekend to an electric end Sunday night with a performance worthy of the moment, capping a chapter in CMA history before the festival moves to Nashville’s new Nissan Stadium in 2027.
“Every year, the last night of CMA Fest has a feeling that’s hard to describe,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This year it hit a little differently. Standing there Sunday watching the closing set, knowing it was our last night in that stadium, I felt every one of those 25 years. The surprises, the collaborations, the whole industry coming together for four days every summer—none of it happens without the fans, the artists, and everyone across our community who shows up for it, year after year. What a run it’s been. As we say goodbye to this era, I’m excited to see what we build over the next 25 years.”
Nissan Stadium came alive Thursday night as the four-night festival wasted no time. Following an a cappella rendition of the national anthem by Caylee Hammack, Rhett Akins opened the evening before Tucker Wetmore energized the crowd, showcasing his artistry and versatility by moving from guitar to trumpet to piano mid-set during a performance of “Brunette.” Jelly Roll delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises, taking the stage for a crowd-favorite set that included “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and “Lost Cause.” Ella Langley kept the momentum building with a show-stopping performance highlighted by her crossover hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Deana Carter brought a wave of nostalgia with “Strawberry Wine,” while Gretchen Wilson raised the energy even higher when she welcomed Ella Langley back to the stage for a rousing rendition of “Here for the Party.” One of the evening’s most talked-about moments came when Florida Georgia Line made their highly anticipated return to the stage. Introduced in dramatic fashion by legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer, the duo entered through the stands before making their way to an elevated stage at midfield, where they capped off their set with their chart-topping anthem “Cruise.” Jason Aldean closed the night, delivering a hit-filled performance, including his latest single “Don’t Tell on Me.” Meanwhile, the Platform Stage showcased the next generation of Country talent, with performances from Zach John King, Vincent Mason, and Willow Avalon.
Friday night at Nissan Stadium saw Jo Dee Messina kick things off with a set that included a special appearance from Lauren Daigle for “Who Else.” Blake Shelton followed with a set stacked with hits that had the crowd singing along from start to finish, while Shaboozey kept the energy high with a performance of his new song, “Born To Die” and brought Kevin Powers to the stage for “Move On.” The Red Clay Strays hit the stage with electric renditions of “Down South” and “Fools Gold,” while The Band Perry delivered a vibrant performance from the stage in the middle of the field. Another memorable moment came when Keith Urban brought out Michael McDonald for a performance of “We Go Back.” Closing out the evening, Cody Johnson took the stage with a commanding set, highlighted by a surprise appearance from Brothers Osborne for “Fool Proof.” Between main stage performances, Scoot Teasley and Maggie Antone kept fans entertained with sets on the Platform Stage.
Saturday night at Nissan Stadium featured one highlight after another, as artists delivered crowd-pleasing sets and surprise collaborations across the evening. Sara Evans opened the night before Carly Pearce took the stage for a dynamic set that featured a surprise appearance from Riley Green for their duet “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” as well as a special bluegrass collaboration with Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle, and student performer Shay Morgan. Zach Top continued the momentum with an engaging set featuring “South of Sanity” and “Cold Beer & Country Music,” while Jordan Davis had fans on their feet with “Tucson Too Late” and a surprise appearance from Marcus King for their duet “Louisiana Stick.” Then, Lainey Wilson lit up the stage with a lively performance that included her new hit “Phone, Keys, Wallet,” before Tim McGraw brought the night to a memorable close with a set packed with chart-topping favorites. The evening culminated in one final surprise when Lainey Wilson returned to the stage to join Tim McGraw for an energetic rendition of “I Like It, I Love It.” Meanwhile, on the Platform Stage, Kaitlin Butts and Emily Ann Roberts kept the energy high with captivating performances.
Sunday night at Nissan Stadium brought CMA Fest 2026 to an exciting close, with a lineup that had everyone on their feet. Clay Walker opened the night, setting the stage for Russell Dickerson to deliver a high-energy performance, where he welcomed Fetty Wap to the stage for a surprise performance of their new song “BOOTS” followed by “Trap Queen.” Bailey Zimmerman brought his signature style to his set, along with welcoming out Brandon Lake for “Just Believe.” Riley Green performed a stellar set, including a duet if “Jesus Saves” and “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Hannah McFarland. HARDY then delivered a lively performance, followed by Stephen Wilson Jr. with a jaw-dropping performance of “Gary” from center field. Luke Bryan then delivered a fitting finale, including a surprise duet with George Birge on “Ride, Ride, Ride.” Emerging artists Kat Luna, The Jack Wharff Band and Laci Kaye Booth took to the Platform Stage, debuting for the Nissan Stadium crowd.
Beyond the stadium, CMA Fest’s outdoor footprint buzzed with energy across all four days as fans filled every corner of downtown Nashville. Stella Lefty drew a capacity crowd to the Good Molecules Reverb Stage on Thursday, while Uncle Kracker packed the Dr Pepper Amp Stage on Friday. Saturday saw Midland‘s set on the Chevy Riverfront Stage draw a capacity crowd that held through the following performance from Kaitlin Butts, before Waka Flocka Flame brought the Dr Pepper Amp Stage to another level. Sunday’s Cowboy Church with Brandon Lake became the weekend’s most talked-about daytime moment, drawing such an overwhelming crowd to the Chevy Riverfront Stage that fans spilled over to the Wrangler Remix Stage and Dr Pepper Amp Stage to watch on screens. Fan Alley kept the party going throughout, with activations and surprise moments drawing fans deep into the festival footprint from open to close.
Inside Music City Center, Fan Fair X served as a destination for fans seeking artist access and intimate experiences throughout the weekend. The CMA Close Up Stage delivered standout programming across all four days, highlighted by Artist of the Day conversations with Russell Dickerson, Carly Pearce, Shaboozey, and Ashley McBryde. A Country Central showcase featuring Willow Avalon, Charles Wesley Godwin, Wyatt Flores and Stella Lefty drew one of the weekend’s most enthusiastic Fan Fair X crowds. Additional highlights included a behind-the-scenes look at Tanya Tucker and Dennis Quaid‘s “On My Way to Heaven” video, as well as a conversation exploring the Black Southern roots of Country and rap with Waka Flocka Flame, Nappy Roots and Caldwell, and a celebration of Latino trailblazers in Country featuring FILMORE, Andrea Vasquez, Alyssia Dominguez and Eddie Perez.
This year, more than 10,000 workers, from site crews and production staff to security and television production teams, came together to make CMA Fest possible, and CMA’s commitment to those people extends well beyond the stage. For every first-time CMA Fest performer across the festival, CMA’s Industry Relations team as well as its Member Ambassadors were on hand to personally welcome them with a commemorative pin and a complimentary year of CMA membership, a gesture that reflects the organization’s investment in building lasting relationships with artists at every stage of their career. As part of CMA’s broader multi-year commitment to mental health, ECCHO Live’s All Access program returned to CMA Fest, making mental health counseling available to artists, crew, and their teams throughout the weekend. MusiCares also returned with their Backstage Oasis, offering a hearing clinic for custom molded earplugs and on-site massage therapy for touring professionals. Additional partners Amber Health, Music Health Alliance, and Porter’s Call were also on site throughout the festival as a backstage resource for industry professionals.
In a tradition unlike any other music festival, a portion of CMA Fest proceeds will fuel a more than $2 million gift to the CMA Foundation, which is celebrating its 15th year of supporting music education programs for students across the country. High school marching bands brought energy and spirit to CMA Fest throughout the weekend, welcoming fans across the festival footprint with lively performances and community pride. Students from RePublic High School, directed by Joshua Latham, kicked things off with a performance on the Chevy Riverfront Stage, while Cane Ridge High School, led by Johnny Croft, a 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence and previous 2024 recipient, energized festivalgoers with a march through Fan Alley and along First Avenue and Broadway. Inside Fan Fair X, James Lawson High School, directed by Rontrell Callahan, showcased its talented student musicians, and Memphis Central High School, under the direction of Ollie Liddell, 2026 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence and previous 2022 and 2024 recipient, brought excitement to fans gathered outside Nissan Stadium. Together, these student performers helped celebrate the impact of music education while adding a vibrant soundtrack to CMA Fest’s fan experience.
Fans had several meaningful opportunities to support the CMA Foundation throughout CMA Fest. Carly’s Closet returned to Music City Center, with Carly Pearce offering items from her personal wardrobe and an autograph signing, all to benefit music education. For the second year, the festival also featured a dedicated “Shop For Good” area inside Fan Fair X, showcasing vendors who donated a portion of their proceeds to support the CMA Foundation’s mission. Throughout all four days, fans could purchase exclusive CMA Fest merchandise that gives back, including custom posters designed by Friendly Arctic and custom beaded bracelets by Strung. Fans also had the opportunity to shop artist wardrobes through The Archives and bid on exclusive artist merchandise and memorabilia through The Backstage Auction, benefiting both SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) and the CMA Foundation. On Broadway, the Metro Nashville Police Department hosted a dunk tank where every dunk benefited the CMA Foundation, giving fans a fun and interactive way to support music education. Attendees could also experience the Musical Petting Zoo presented by KHS America, an interactive space designed to inspire future musicians through hands-on musical discovery and visit a special photo opportunity celebrating the impact of music education. Additionally, the CMA Fest Backstage Academy presented by AT&T, with support from EqualizeHer and Empower, was a one-day immersive experience that provided students from Pearl-Cohn Entertainment Magnet High School with behind-the-scenes access to live music production during CMA Fest, connecting them directly with industry professionals and helping build career awareness, workforce readiness, and professional skills in the music and entertainment industries.
KultureCity provided sensory rooms and complimentary sensory bags, while Wags & Walks brought adoptable dogs to Fan Fair X and the artist compound. Musically Fed collected and repurposed excess backstage catering, redirecting meals and goods to local community partners including Room in the Inn, Matthew 25, Operation Stand Down, Nashville Rescue Mission and St. Vincent de Paul.
The 54th CMA Fest will take place in Nashville from Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13, 2027. Stay tuned for more details on tickets and presale access. Click here and sign up for text to get first access to pre-sale passes.
Fans can relive the weekend’s biggest moments when Riley Green and Lara Spencer host “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” a three-hour primetime television special airing Thursday, June 25 at 8/7c on ABC and streaming next day on Hulu.
Tags: CMA Fest, country music, Nashville, festival, music education, live music, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Jelly Roll, Brandon Lake, upcoming events
