CMA Fest is coming up in a little over a week and events are already starting to pop off in Nashville. From new artist debuts to established country royalty, this is the country music event of the year for fans who want to get up close and personal with their favorite stars. Let’s go over some of the highlights of this years’ schedule and help you make a plan to get the most out of your CMA Fest experience!
While many people focus on the big stages and primary concert schedule, there is so much more to the event. The year’s biggest fundraisers are happening with celebrities doing things like golf tournaments and auctions. There’s FanFair X, bringing back the convention center meet & greets that get you up close and personal with your favorite artists. There are record label showcases, exclusive radio and podcast recordings with a live audience, and afterhour parties at nearly every business in town. It’s a smart move to research early, scour the CMAFest.com website, and build out an itinerary that accounts for big crowds, slow travel, and a few air-conditioned breaks as well.
Here are some highlights of what to expect at the 2026 CMA Fest!
CMA Fest 2026 Main Stage Highlights
Nissan Stadium is once again packed with some of the biggest names in country music. This year’s lineup brings together modern chart toppers, legendary performers and several surprise-style collaborations that should make the nightly stadium shows one of the hottest tickets in Nashville.
Some of the biggest main stage highlights include:
- Jason Aldean
- Keith Urban
- Luke Bryan
- Cody Johnson
- Carly Pearce
- Tucker Wetmore
- Ella Langley
- Jordan Davis
- Shaboozey
- Russell Dickerson
- Riley Green
- The Red Clay Strays
- Tim McGraw
- Blake Shelton
- HARDY
Special performances from The Band Perry, Deana Carter and Gretchen Wilson are also expected to draw huge crowds throughout the week.
The Nissan Stadium platform stage is also quietly stacked this year with rising artists like Zach John King, Willow Avalon and Vincent Mason getting prime exposure in front of massive crowds.
Download the CMA Connect App to build your stage schedule!
The New Wrangler Remix Stage Could Be One of the Best Stops of the Weekend
One of the biggest additions to CMA Fest 2026 is the brand-new Wrangler Remix Stage replacing the old Hard Rock Stage inside Fan Alley. The setup is designed around discovering emerging artists and giving fans a more relaxed daytime atmosphere with nonstop music and easier artist access.
If you love finding artists before they completely explode, this stage needs to be high on your priority list.
Some of the standout Wrangler Remix Stage performers include:
- Sterling Elza
- The Wilder Blue
- Ashley Kutcher
- Sons of Habit
- BODHI
- Gannon Fremin & CCREV
- Hayden Coffman
- ROME
- SKEEZ
- Trey Pendley
- Highway Home
- Carson Wallace
- Hayden Blount
- Aniston Pate
- Payton Smith
The Wrangler Remix Stage is expected to become one of the biggest fan discovery spots at CMA Fest this year thanks to its location in Fan Alley and its focus on breakout artists.
Fan Fair X Remains the Real Fan Experience
If you’re only planning around outdoor stages, you’re honestly missing half the festival.
Fan Fair X inside Music City Center is still where fans get the most personal experiences with artists. The air conditioning alone makes it worth the stop during the hottest parts of the day, but this is also where you’ll find acoustic performances, interviews, autograph sessions, shopping, podcast recordings and fan activations.
Fan Fair X runs from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM Thursday through Sunday and includes hundreds of performances and sessions over four days.
Some fan-favorite experiences inside Fan Fair X include:
- CMA Close Up Stage interviews
- Acoustic performances
- Artist autograph signings
- Podcast tapings
- Shopping and exclusive merch
- Interactive sponsor activations
- Comfortable indoor seating and recharge areas
The CMA Close Up Stage lineup alone is worth spending time indoors. Fans can catch sessions featuring:
- Russell Dickerson
- Carly Pearce
- Melissa Etheridge and Gretchen Wilson
- Clint Black
- Charles Wesley Godwin
- Waka Flocka and Nappy Roots
- Wyatt Flores
- Willow Avalon
- Parker Welling
Best Rising Artists to Put on Your CMA Fest Schedule
CMA Fest 2026 is loaded with artists who are right on the edge of a breakout moment.
Kelsi Mayne
Kelsi Mayne is making her CMA Fest debut this year after building serious streaming momentum over the last several months. Fans looking for modern country with crossover appeal should make time for her Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage appearance.
Scoot Teasley
Scoot Teasley continues building one of the most unique sounds in country music by blending country storytelling with soul, hip hop and R&B influences. His live sets have developed a strong word-of-mouth reputation and CMA Fest could easily become a turning point for him.
Maggie Antone
Maggie Antone has become one of the most talked-about Americana-leaning artists in the current country scene. Fans of gritty songwriting and powerhouse live vocals should absolutely circle her set.
Walker Montgomery
Walker Montgomery keeps carrying the neo-traditional torch forward while building a younger fanbase that loves classic sounding country music. His daytime appearance could end up being one of the sleeper sets of the festival.
Chandler Dozier
Traditional country fans should keep Chandler Dozier on their radar during Fan Fair X appearances. He brings a strong neo-traditional sound that feels tailor-made for longtime country fans who still want to discover new artists.
Hayden Coffman and Payton Smith
Both Hayden Coffman and Payton Smith continue gaining traction with younger country audiences and social media fans. Their Wrangler Remix Stage appearances are likely going to pull strong daytime crowds.
Spotify House Is Back and Loaded Again
Spotify House returns to Ole Red for another three-day takeover and honestly this has become one of the hardest side events to get into during CMA Fest week.
This year’s lineup includes:
Thursday Highlights
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Ashley McBryde
- Old Dominion
- Jon Pardi
- Koe Wetzel
- Kameron Marlowe
- Corey Kent
Friday Highlights
- Keith Urban
- Carly Pearce
- ERNEST
- Tucker Wetmore
- Wyatt Flores
- Vincent Mason
- Brothers Osborne
Saturday Highlights
- Kane Brown
- Luke Bryan
- Dan + Shay
- Midland
- Cole Swindell
- Russell Dickerson
- Shaboozey
- The Band Perry
Spotify House has developed a reputation for surprise guests and packed crowds, so fans should expect long lines early in the day.
Carly Pearce’s Closet Event Is Back
One of the coolest fan-centered events happening during CMA Fest week is the return of Carly Pearce’s annual Carly’s Closet charity pop-up.
The event happens Friday, June 5 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM inside Music City Center and gives fans the chance to shop items from Carly Pearce’s personal wardrobe while supporting the CMA Foundation.
Fans who purchase items also gain access to an exclusive signing with Carly Pearce after the event.
This has become one of the most popular fan experiences during CMA Fest week because it feels far more personal than a traditional autograph line.
Outdoor Stages Worth Spending Time At
The outdoor daytime stages are where a lot of the real magic happens during CMA Fest.
Chevy Riverfront Stage
This stage remains one of the best overall experiences because the lineup is consistently packed from morning to evening.
Highlights include:
- Russell Dickerson
- Ashley Cooke
- ERNEST
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
- Shane Smith & The Saints
- Chayce Beckham
- Alana Springsteen
- Charles Wesley Godwin
- Kameron Marlowe
- Tyler Braden
Dr Pepper Amp Stage
The Dr Pepper Amp Stage always leans into fan interaction and rising stars.
Highlights include:
- Kaylee Bell
- Pecos & The Rooftops
- Drake Milligan
- Melissa Etheridge
- Filmore
- Erin Kinsey
- Uncle Kracker
- Angie K
Chevy Vibes Stage
This stage quietly has one of the strongest discovery lineups at CMA Fest.
Highlights include:
- Karley Scott Collins
- Walker Montgomery
- Graham Barham
- Brooke Lee
- Willie Jones
- Lanie Gardner
- Melanie Dyer
Fan Tips for Surviving CMA Fest Week
CMA Fest veterans already know the real challenge is pacing yourself.
A few smart survival tips:
- Download the CMA Connect App before arriving
- Build a flexible schedule instead of overbooking every hour
- Expect long walks between stages
- Use Fan Fair X during the hottest parts of the day
- Stay hydrated constantly
- Plan transportation ahead because Nissan Stadium parking is limited this year
- Use the complimentary shuttles whenever possible
- Order merch ahead through the CMA Connect App to avoid long lines
Taste of Nashville inside Fan Alley is also expected to become a major gathering point this year with food options including Joyland, Turkey and the Wolf Icehouse, St. Vito Focacceria and Mama Yang’s.
Why CMA Fest 2026 Feels Bigger Than Previous Years
This year’s festival feels especially stacked because country music itself is having a massive moment across streaming, radio and social media. The genre is pulling in younger audiences while still keeping longtime fans heavily engaged. You can feel that shift in the CMA Fest lineup.
There is a stronger focus on genre blending artists, breakout independent acts and fan engagement experiences instead of simply stacking the same radio lineups everywhere.
Fans are getting a much wider variety of experiences this year whether that’s discovering new artists at the Wrangler Remix Stage, spending time at Spotify House, catching acoustic sets inside Fan Fair X or chasing down surprise performances around downtown Nashville.
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CMA Fest 2026 honestly feels like one of the strongest overall fan experiences the event has delivered in years. The stadium lineup is huge, but the real story is how deep the daytime programming goes this year. The new Wrangler Remix Stage is going to produce several breakout moments and fans who spend time bouncing between Fan Fair X and the daytime stages are going to walk away discovering artists they weren’t even planning to see.
The biggest mistake people make at CMA Fest is trying to sprint through every major stage without leaving room for random discoveries. Those main stages will be recorded and re-broadcast on streaming platforms, but to be IN THE ROOM when the next breakout artist is having their magic moment is an experience EVERY music fan should have at least once. Some of the best sets of the weekend will probably happen before sunset in front of crowds that are way smaller than they should be. If you’re serious about country music, this is the week where you catch artists before ticket prices and venue sizes completely change.
CMA Fest 2026 is shaping up to be one of Nashville’s biggest weeks of the year with nonstop live music, fan events and artist interactions happening all over downtown. Fans should start finalizing schedules now, especially for smaller venue activations and daytime events that tend to fill quickly.
For festival passes, artist appearances and updated scheduling information, visit https://countrymusicontour.com before heading to Nashville.
