The 60th Annual CMA Awards 2026 is set to bring country music’s biggest stars together on November 18 in Nashville, Tennessee. Celebrating six decades of the Country Music Association Awards, this milestone ceremony will feature exciting performances, major award nominations and special tributes to legendary artists. Lainey Wilson will return as host, while Ella Langley leads this year’s nominations with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with seven. The event will also feature a special tribute to Dolly Parton and appearances from some of country music’s most recognizable names. Whether you want to check the nominees, discover the performers or find out where to watch, here’s what to know before the ceremony.
When Are the 60th Annual CMA Awards 2026?
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The live broadcast is scheduled for 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time, bringing together artists, songwriters, producers and music industry professionals.
This anniversary edition marks an important milestone for the country music industry. The CMA Awards have spent six decades recognizing outstanding achievements in country music, from chart-topping songs and albums to memorable live performances.
Here are the essential event details:
- Event: 60th Annual CMA Awards
- Date: November 18, 2026
- Venue: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
- Host: Lainey Wilson
- Broadcast time: 8–11 p.m. ET
- TV network: ABC
- Streaming: Disney+
- Next-day streaming: Hulu
Who Is Hosting the 2026 CMA Awards?
Lainey Wilson will host the 60th Annual CMA Awards for the third consecutive year. The award-winning country singer has become one of the genre’s most recognizable performers, making her a natural choice for this anniversary celebration.
Wilson is also competing for several awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Single of the Year. Her combination of hosting experience and nominations gives her an especially important role in this year’s ceremony.
Fans can expect her to guide the evening’s major announcements, introduce performers and help celebrate the artists who have shaped country music over the past year.
60th Annual CMA Awards 2026 Nominees
The 2026 CMA Awards nominees represent a mix of established country music stars and emerging talent. This year’s nominations were announced on September 10, with voting determined by eligible members of the Country Music Association.
Ella Langley leads the overall list with nine nominations, making her one of the biggest names to watch during the ceremony.
Here are some of the leading nominees and their nomination totals:
| Artist | Nominations |
|---|---|
| Ella Langley | 9 |
| Miranda Lambert | 7 |
| Kacey Musgraves | 5 |
| Ben West | 5 |
| Cody Johnson | 4 |
| Chris Stapleton | 4 |
| Stephen Wilson Jr. | 4 |
| Dave Clauss | 3 |
| Luke Combs | 3 |
| Lainey Wilson | 3 |
These nomination totals highlight the artists receiving the strongest recognition this year, although the final winners will be announced during the live ceremony.
Major categories and nominees to watch
Some of the most closely watched CMA Award categories include:
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Ella Langley
- Chris Stapleton
- Lainey Wilson
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Album of the Year
- Ain’t in It for My Health – Zach Top
- Dandelion – Ella Langley
- Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves
- Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
- The Way I Am – Luke Combs
Another interesting category is New Artist of the Year, featuring Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who Is Performing at the 60th Annual CMA Awards?
The 2026 CMA Awards performers lineup combines established country music stars with newer artists who have attracted attention in recent years.
Confirmed performers include:
- Ella Langley – One of the evening’s leading nominees.
- Miranda Lambert – A major country music star with seven nominations.
- Cody Johnson – Competing in four award categories.
- Kacey Musgraves – A five-time nominee.
- Luke Combs – Nominated for Entertainer, Album and Male Vocalist of the Year.
- Chris Stapleton – A four-time nominee.
- Tim McGraw – Returning to the CMA Awards stage.
- Megan Moroney – Nominated for Female Vocalist and Song of the Year.
- Zach Top – A nominee in major categories.
- Tucker Wetmore – Among the New Artist of the Year nominees.
- The Red Clay Strays – Bringing their country sound to the ceremony.
- Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill – Also included in the announced lineup.
The program will feature special collaborations as well. Mumford & Sons will perform with Chris Stapleton, while Stephen Wilson Jr. will also join Stapleton for a collaboration.
Taylor Swift Returns to the CMA Awards Stage
One of the biggest announcements ahead of the ceremony is Taylor Swift’s return to the CMA Awards. The singer is scheduled to perform at the 60th anniversary event, marking a major moment for fans who remember her early country music career.
Swift’s appearance is particularly notable because she has not performed at the CMA Awards for 13 years. She is also nominated for Single of the Year with her song “I Knew It, I Knew You.”
Her return adds another major attraction to an already impressive lineup and connects the anniversary celebration with an important chapter in the history of modern country music.
Special Tributes and Lifetime Achievement Award
The anniversary ceremony will recognize artists whose influence extends beyond individual award wins.
A special tribute to Dolly Parton is planned, celebrating the legendary singer’s lasting contribution to country music and entertainment.
The evening will also honor Brooks & Dunn, recipients of the 2026 CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The tribute performance will bring together Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Halestorm, HARDY and Marcus King.
These special segments give the ceremony a wider historical perspective, celebrating the artists and musical traditions that helped shape country music across generations.
How to Watch the 60th Annual CMA Awards 2026
For viewers in the United States, there are two main ways to watch the CMA Awards 2026 live: ABC television and Disney+.
The broadcast will run for three hours, beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on November 18.
Here is how viewers can follow the event:
- ABC: Watch the live television broadcast through an available ABC channel.
- Disney+: Stream the ceremony live through the platform.
- Hulu: Watch the full program the following day.
Viewers who prefer streaming can check their subscription and regional availability before the ceremony. International viewers should also check their local streaming services because availability may differ outside the United States.
What Time Do the 2026 CMA Awards Start?
The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and runs until 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, November 18.
For viewers in different US time zones, the schedule is:
| Time zone | Start time |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 8:00 p.m. |
| Central (CT) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mountain (MT) | 6:00 p.m. |
| Pacific (PT) | 5:00 p.m. |
For viewers in Pakistan, the live broadcast is scheduled to begin at 6:00 a.m. PKT on Thursday, November 19. This makes it an early-morning event for international country music fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are the 60th Annual CMA Awards 2026?
The ceremony takes place on November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
2. Who has the most CMA nominations in 2026?
Ella Langley leads the 2026 nominations with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with seven.
3. Is Lainey Wilson hosting the 2026 CMA Awards?
Yes. Lainey Wilson returns as host for the third consecutive year.
4. Will Taylor Swift perform at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Yes. Taylor Swift is confirmed to perform, marking her return to the CMA Awards stage after 13 years.
5. Where can I stream the CMA Awards 2026?
The ceremony will stream live on Disney+ in the United States and become available on Hulu the following day.
Conclusion
The 60th Annual CMA Awards 2026 promises a memorable celebration of country music, featuring an impressive collection of performers, competitive award categories and special tributes. With Ella Langley leading the nominations, Lainey Wilson returning as host and Taylor Swift making a highly anticipated appearance, this anniversary edition has plenty to attract longtime fans and new viewers. Mark November 18 on your calendar and tune in through ABC or Disney+ to follow the performances and discover this year’s winners.
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