What Time Does It Start and What Channel Is It On?
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. The three-hour broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET. Viewers in the Central time zone can tune in at 7 p.m. CT for the live show. The ceremony will be broadcast exclusively on ABC, which
has been the home of the CMA Awards since 2006. The event takes place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of country music. For those wanting to see the stars arrive, doors to the arena open for attendees at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Are There Streaming Options for Cord-Cutters?
Yes, for the first time, you can stream the CMA Awards live. The ceremony will be simulcast on Disney+, allowing subscribers to watch in real-time along with the ABC broadcast. If you miss the live show, you don't have to miss out entirely. The full awards ceremony will be available for on-demand streaming on Hulu starting the next day, Thursday, November 19. This gives fans plenty of flexibility to catch up on all the performances and award presentations.
Who Is Hosting Country Music's Biggest Night?
Lainey Wilson will return as the host for the 2026 CMA Awards. This marks her third consecutive year hosting the event and her second year handling the duties solo, after co-hosting with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning in 2024. Wilson, a multiple CMA Award winner herself, is nominated for three awards this year, including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year.
Which Stars Are Performing?
The lineup for the 60th anniversary show is packed with superstars, legends, and rising acts. In a highly anticipated return, Taylor Swift will perform on the CMA stage for the first time in 13 years. The show will feature performances from all five Entertainer of the Year nominees: Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and host Lainey Wilson. The star-studded list of performers also includes Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Tim McGraw, Megan Moroney, Zach Top, and Stephen Wilson Jr. Adding to the excitement, rock band Mumford & Sons will make their CMA Awards debut. The night will also feature special tributes, including an homage to the late Dolly Parton and a celebration of Brooks & Dunn, who are receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The tribute to Brooks & Dunn will feature a powerhouse collaboration from Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Halestorm, HARDY, and Marcus King.
Who Are the Top Nominees?
Leading the pack this year is Ella Langley, who scored an impressive nine nominations, tying a record for the most nominations for a female artist in a single year. Following closely behind is Miranda Lambert with seven nominations. Kacey Musgraves and songwriter Ben West each have five nods, while Cody Johnson and Stephen Wilson Jr. picked up four nominations apiece. The night's top prize, Entertainer of the Year, is a tight race between Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson. Taylor Swift is also back in the running with a nomination for Single of the Year for 'I Knew It, I Knew You', her 26th career CMA nomination.
