Nashville is preparing for a milestone night as the 60th Annual CMA Awards returns to Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. With Lainey Wilson returning as host, Ella Langley leading the nominations, and newly announced performances expanding an already impressive lineup, this year’s celebration will bring together established country favorites, breakthrough artists, and special collaborations. The three-hour broadcast begins at 7 p.m. Central on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available the following day on Hulu. 

The race for Entertainer of the Year places Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson in contention for the evening’s highest honor. Langley leads all nominees with nine nominations, including recognition for her album Dandelion and two entries apiece in the Single and Song of the Year categories for “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas.” Her nominations also extend to Female Vocalist, Musical Event, and Music Video of the Year, making her one of the central artists to watch throughout the ceremony. 

Miranda Lambert follows with seven nominations, reflecting her work as a performer, songwriter, and producer. Kacey Musgraves and Ben West each earned five, while Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Stephen Wilson Jr. received four apiece. The nominations also recognize 13 first-time nominees, highlighting the new voices and creative collaborators contributing to country music’s next chapter. Winners are selected by the Country Music Association’s professional voting membership. 

The performance lineup gives fans plenty to anticipate beyond the awards themselves. Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top, and Tucker Wetmore are among the announced performers. They will be joined by Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, and Vince Gill, creating an evening that connects several generations of country music on one Nashville stage. A special tribute to Dolly Parton is also planned, honoring an artist whose influence reaches far beyond the genre. 

Collaborations will add another dimension to the anniversary celebration. Mumford & Sons will make their CMA Awards debut alongside Chris Stapleton, who is also scheduled to perform with Stephen Wilson Jr. Meanwhile, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Marcus King, and Halestorm will come together to celebrate Brooks & Dunn, recipients of this year’s CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. Those pairings promise some of the evening’s most distinctive musical moments. 

Wilson returns for her third consecutive year as host and her second consecutive year hosting solo. For a show marking six decades of country music history, her role places one of today’s leading performers at the center of an evening honoring both the genre’s legacy and its future. 

For fans attending in person, Bridgestone Arena lists doors opening at 5:30 p.m., with guests required to be seated by 6:45 p.m. Central ahead of the live broadcast. Anyone arriving at their seat after that cutoff must wait until the first commercial break. Black tie or formal attire is encouraged, and attendees should review the arena’s bag policy before heading downtown.