CMA Fest 2026: Highlights and Must-See Performances

Nissan Stadium Nightly Concerts Feature Star-Studded Lineup

CMA Fest 2026 opened on June 4 with nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium, headlined by Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen on separate nights. Each headliner delivered a full set of chart-topping hits, drawing crowds of over 90,000 fans per evening — a record for the festival.

"It's the biggest CMA Fest we've ever seen," said festival organizer Sarah Trahern. "The energy in the stadium was electric."

Beyond the headliners, surprise guest appearances elevated the experience. Past CMA winners like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban joined artists on stage for impromptu duets, creating moments that fans will talk about for years. Tickets for the stadium performances sold out within hours, with resale prices on secondary markets reaching $500 or more for prime seats.

• Luke Combs performed on Thursday night, debuting a new song from his upcoming album.
• Lainey Wilson closed Friday with a set that featured a tribute to country legends.
• Morgan Wallen headlined Saturday, bringing out a surprise guest — Keith Urban — for a cover of "The Fighter."

For those who missed the live shows, the entire stadium concert series is available for streaming on the official CMA Fest app until June 30.

New Chevy Riverfront Stage Highlights 20 Emerging Artists

The new Chevy Riverfront Stage debuted this year as a dedicated platform for up-and-coming talent. Twenty emerging artists — including Kylie Morgan, Jackson Dean, and Meg McRee — each performed two 30-minute sets over the four days, giving fans ample opportunity to discover new music.

Fan voting determined five of the 20 slots, generating over 50,000 votes and a 40% increase in engagement compared to last year's artist selection process.

Chevy partnered with CMA to outfit the stage with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, ensuring every performance felt arena-ready. The stage's location along the Cumberland River offered a scenic backdrop and attracted an average of 12,000 fans per day, according to Metro Nashville police estimates.

• Kylie Morgan drew the largest crowd of the emerging acts, with nearly 5,000 fans at her Saturday afternoon set.
• Jackson Dean used the platform to announce his first national headlining tour, set to begin in September 2026.
• Meg McRee's acoustic ballads earned her a slot on the main stage Sunday after a last-minute cancellation.

The new stage underscores CMA's commitment to nurturing the next generation of country music stars. Organizers have already confirmed its return for 2027.

Downtown Nashville Venues Offer Intimate Acoustic Sets

Beyond the stadium and riverfront, downtown Nashville's honky-tonks became intimate performance spaces through the 'Pop-Up CMA Sessions' program. Six Broadway venues — including Tootsie's Orchid Lounge and The Stage on Broadway — hosted unannounced acoustic sets by major artists throughout the festival.

Chris Stapleton and Kelsea Ballerini each gave surprise performances that drew hundreds of fans, despite venue capacities limited to just 200 people. These shows created an intensely personal experience, with artists interacting directly with the crowd from small stages.

• Tootsie's Orchid Lounge hosted Chris Stapleton on Thursday evening; fans lined up for over three hours for a chance to enter.
• Kelsea Ballerini performed a stripped-down set at The Stage on Broadway, premiering a new ballad.
• Three other artists — Ashley McBryde, Brothers Osborne, and Brett Eldredge — also held pop-up shows, announced via the festival app only 30 minutes in advance.

The pop-up sessions were so popular that CMA is considering expanding the program to 10 venues in 2027, with a dedicated shuttle route connecting them.

Key Takeaways

• CMA Fest 2026 broke attendance records with over 90,000 fans daily at Nissan Stadium, pushing total attendance above 360,000.
• The festival generated an estimated $50 million in direct economic impact for Nashville, according to the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.
• Daily schedules and real-time updates are available through the official CMA Fest app, which saw a 30% increase in downloads compared to 2025.
• VIP packages — including backstage access, meet-and-greets, and exclusive merchandise — sold out within two weeks of going on sale.
• Fans are advised to plan transportation early: road closures and high demand for rideshares led to average wait times of 45 minutes during peak hours.

With record attendance, surprise performances, and a spotlight on emerging talent, CMA Fest 2026 cemented its place as the premier event in country music. Plans for next year are already underway — and expectations are even higher.