The CMA Awards return to Nashville on Wednesday for their 59th annual ceremony, set to air live from Bridgestone Arena. The event will broadcast at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and stream on Hulu the following day. Host Lainey Wilson leads the night with six nominations, tied with Ella Langley and Megan Moroney. Major categories include Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Male and Female Vocalist of the Year. The CMA Awards remain one of country music’s most-watched nights, honoring the year’s top achievements.
The CMA Awards will be held Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. The live broadcast begins at 8 p.m. EST on ABC, while Hulu will carry the next-day stream.
This year’s ceremony highlights outstanding contributions to the country music industry, as voted on by members of the Country Music Association. Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney lead the pack with six nominations each. Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs headline the Entertainer of the Year category.
Vince Gill will receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors presented by the CMA.
Performances & Reactions
Host Lainey Wilson will perform along with an extensive lineup that includes:
Kelsea Ballerini
Brandi Carlile
Kenny Chesney
Riley Green
Patty Loveless
Keith Urban
Luke Combs
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top
BigXthaPlug
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Little Big Town
Industry analysts expect a strong showing from Wilson following her milestone year. Commentators note that her blend of commercial momentum and critical acclaim positions her as a leading favorite across multiple categories.
Music analysts also highlight Zach Top’s Album of the Year nomination for Cold Beer & Country Music as a potential breakout moment. The inclusion of Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion adds genre-blending intrigue to this year’s field.
What This Means for Country Music
The CMA Awards play a major role in shaping year-end rankings, streaming spikes, and touring momentum. A win for Wilson or Combs in Entertainer of the Year could influence future festival headlining placements. Album of the Year decisions often correlate with post-award consumption surges, potentially boosting chart performance through early 2026.
Vince Gill’s Lifetime Achievement Award also places renewed attention on legacy artistry and cross-generational impact within the genre.
Upcoming Announcements and Events
Following the CMA Awards, ABC and Hulu are expected to release additional performance clips and backstage coverage. Winners will headline multiple year-end country music specials, while nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards will follow shortly after.
The Country Music Association will also open voting for the next membership cycle in early 2026, impacting future award eligibility and industry participation.
Sources
Country Music Association
ABC Network
Hulu
UPI News
Official artist social channels
