CMA FEST PRESENTED BY SOFI UNITES FANS AND ARTISTS
FOR A POWERFUL CELEBRATION OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND GIVING BACK
CMA Fest 2025 Draws Estimated 95,000 Fans to Nashville
Festival Proceeds Help Power a More Than $2 Million Gift
to the CMA Foundation to Strengthen Music Education Programs
Relive the Festival’s Biggest Moments When Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde Host
“CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” Airing Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and Next Day on Hulu
View Festival Photos HERE
CMA Fest presented by SoFi, the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, returned to downtown Nashville for its 52nd year this past weekend, welcoming an estimated 95,000 fans from across the globe for four days of live music, artist discovery and unforgettable moments. From June 5-8, artists, fans and industry came together to celebrate the music that connects—onstage, in the crowd, and in classrooms across the country thanks to the festival’s philanthropic impact.
“What an incredible four days and nights. Even with a few weather interruptions, the energy and spirit of our fans never faded,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “From legendary acts to artists playing CMA Fest for the very first time, this year was a celebration of discovery, connection and community. And the fact that it all helps fund the CMA Foundation’s work in music education makes it even more impactful.”
Fans traveled from all 50 states and 33 countries to experience CMA Fest, which brought over 300 performances to stages across downtown Nashville. From unforgettable stadium moments to must-see pop-ups and surprise appearances, the weekend was filled with standout performances and powerful fan-artist connections. From 2024 CMA New Artist of the Year Megan Moroney drawing a capacity crowd to kick off CMA Fest at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday morning, to surprise appearances at Nissan Stadium by Trace Adkins, BigXthaPlug, Jelly Roll, Noah Kahan, Brandon Lake, Travis Tritt and Lainey Wilson, to more than 100 artists making their CMA Fest debut throughout the weekend— plus a heartwarming Sunday night moment featuring the Marching Crusaders, a student band from New Orleans’ The Roots of Music program—CMA Fest delivered powerful memories at every turn. New this year, Fan Alley quickly became a fan favorite, creating a vibrant new hub for immersive activations, giveaways, and surprise moments from top brand partners, right in the heart of the festival footprint. In total, 59 brand and marketing partners participated in CMA Fest 2025, contributing to the energy and experience across multiple venues and fan touchpoints.
As the presenting partner of CMA Fest, SoFi hosted fans at the SoFi Plus Lounge throughout the weekend—including an exclusive SoFi Plus Experience with a surprise appearance by Kelsea Ballerini at Nissan Stadium ahead of her headlining performance. Ballerini joined SoFi Chief Marketing Officer, Lauren Stafford-Webb for a candid conversation about their shared commitment to empowering the next generation to invest early, ask questions, and get the right financial education in order to realize their ambitions and get their money right. The event included an acoustic performance of “Baggage” and a spotlight on SoFi’s new partnership with Ballerini and tnAchieves through the Rising Stars Program which will invest over 2 million dollars in financial literacy resources and tools to help Tennessee students start investing early as well as offering each student a minimum of $5 in stock and the chance to get up to $1,000 to start building their investment portfolios.
Nissan Stadium lit up on Thursday night with an electric kickoff to the four-night festival. After a powerful national anthem by K. Michelle, Charles Esten opened the show, followed by Ella Langley and Riley Green, who traded collaborations—Green joined Langley for “you look like you love me,” and Langley returned the favor on “Don’t Mind If I Do.” Darius Rucker brought his signature hits to the main stage, and Scotty McCreery connected with fans from the center stage on the field. Performances from Tigirlily Gold and Max McNown on the Platform Stage added even more energy to the night, spotlighting two emerging acts on the rise. Brooks & Dunn kept the momentum high with a crowd-pleasing set that featured two surprise guests: Lainey Wilson for a fiery take on “Play Something Country,” and Marcus King for a blistering rendition of “Rock My World (Little Country Girl).” Jason Aldean closed out the night with a powerhouse performance, capped by a surprise duet with Travis Tritt on “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.”
Friday night at Nissan Stadium delivered a genre-blending celebration packed with surprise collaborations and emotional highs. Rita Wilson opened the show, followed by Shaboozey, who brought the crowd to its feet with a surprise appearance by Jelly Roll for their viral hit “Amen.” Parker McCollum kept the energy high before Cody Johnson took the stage, teaming up with Carín León for a standout performance of “She Hurts Like Tequila.” One of the night’s most powerful moments came when Jelly Roll returned to the center stage alongside Brandon Lake for a moving rendition of “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” accompanied by a dramatic drone display above the stadium. Between main stage sets, Kameron Marlowe and Sam Barber delivered standout performances on the Platform Stage. Kelsea Ballerini followed with a hit-filled set and two surprise duets with Noah Kahan – “Cowboys Cry Too” and “Stick Season.” Keith Urban closed out the night with a dynamic headline set that kept the stadium crowd on its feet.
Saturday night brought a mix of nostalgia and new school to Nissan Stadium. Deana Carter opened the evening, setting the stage for breakout band The Red Clay Strays and a crowd-pleasing set from Blake Shelton, who welcomed Trace Adkins to the stage for a solo performance of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” before teaming up for high-energy renditions of “Hell Right” and “Hillbilly Bone.” Tiera Kennedy and Carter Faith brought fresh energy to the Platform Stage with engaging sets that resonated with fans. Megan Moroney followed with one of the night’s most anticipated sets, drawing cheers throughout the stadium, while Jordan Davis delivered a confident, hit-packed performance that had fans singing along from start to finish. Rascal Flatts closed the night with chart-topping favorites, capped by a surprise appearance from Carly Pearce on a heartfelt performance of “My Wish.”
Sunday night at Nissan Stadium brought CMA Fest 2025 to a memorable close, with a lineup that blended rising talent, standout collaborations, and fan-favorite headliners. Rodney Atkins kicked things off with a set that saw him welcome his son Elijah for a song, followed by a breakout performance from Zach Top, whose throwback sound and smooth vocals drew big cheers from the crowd. Emerging artists Avery Anna, Kashus Culpepper, and Tucker Wetmore each took turns on the Platform Stage, adding fresh momentum to the night. Ashley McBryde delivered a powerful set that closed with an unforgettable collaboration – welcoming The Roots of Music’s Marching Crusaders to the stage for a show-stopping performance of “Boogie Wonderland.” Bailey Zimmerman kept the energy high, surprising fans with BigXthaPlug for a hard-hitting version of “All The Way,” and bringing out Josh Ross to join him on “Backup Plan.” Dylan Scott connected with fans from the center stage on the field, while Dierks Bentley returned with his signature blend of hits and humor – capping his set with Zach Top joining in for a high-octane medley of “Free And Easy (Down The Road I Go)” and “Mountain Music.” Luke Bryan brought the weekend to a close with a show-stopping finale worthy of CMA Fest’s biggest stage.
Ascend Amphitheater lit up once again with three nights of programming Thursday through Saturday. Thursday’s Whiskey Jam showcase brought a genre-blending lineup to the riverfront venue, with performances from Graham Barham, Gabby Barrett, Colbie Caillat, Randy Houser, Lakeview, Vincent Mason, Ian Munsick, and Edwin McCain. On Friday, Jake Owen & Friends delivered a laid-back, feel-good night of hits, featuring Wynn Williams, Carter Faith, Max McNown, and Lukas Nelson, with a surprise appearance from Sara Evans that kept the crowd on its feet. Saturday closed with Wynonna Judd’s Girls Night Out, a powerhouse celebration of female artistry with sets from Madeline Edwards and Sara Evans and appearances by The War And Treaty, Noah Cyrus, Noeline Hofmann, and Little Big Town. Lainey Wilson also made a surprise appearance during the show, joining Wynonna for a high-energy finale that brought the crowd to its feet.
Inside Music City Center, Fan Fair X continued to be a hub for fans seeking artist access, unique experiences, and a break from the summer heat. The CMA Close Up Stage drew crowds across the weekend for can’t-miss conversations and special appearances, including a powerful discussion with Friday’s Artist of the Day, Trisha Yearwood, about her forthcoming album The Mirror, as well as a packed Country Central songwriter round featuring Kameron Marlowe, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, and Waylon Wyatt. Rascal Flatts took the spotlight as Saturday’s Artist of the Day, joining Amazon’s “Country Heat Weekly” podcast for a live taping – part of a series that also featured Parker McCollum, Dasha and Cole Swindell. Additional highlights included genre-blending insights from Mitchell Tenpenny, Tyler Braden and Alana Springsteen; a celebration of Latino trailblazers in Country presented by the Country Latin Association, which featured Latin artists Carín León, Kat Luna, MŌRIAH and Los Hermanos Mendoza; and exclusive interviews and performances from The War And Treaty, RVSHVD and Coffey Anderson during Origins Music Group’s “Rooted at CMA Fest” showcase. On the nearby Spotlight Stage, more than 30 first-time CMA Fest performers took the stage. CMA’s Industry Relations team was on hand to personally welcome them – and every first-time performer across the festival – with a commemorative pin to mark the occasion.
Across Fan Fair X, fans enjoyed 475 artist meet & greets, offering unforgettable one-on-one moments with both emerging and established artists. Fan-favorite artist moments included Walker Hayes, who connected with over 300 fans at his Duck Buck-branded experience, along with memorable meetups featuring Brandon Lake and rising star Maddox Batson. Popular activations included Wags & Walks Rescue Nashville, which featured adoptable dogs and new summer merch. iT Cosmetics treated fans to color-matching services and product giveaways, while The Reba House wowed visitors with a display of iconic performance outfits and a replica of Reba McEntire’s legendary chair from “The Voice.” With music, merch, and special moments filling more than 170,000 square feet, Fan Fair X once again proved to be a fan-favorite destination throughout the festival.
Marching bands brought energy and school spirit to CMA Fest each day, greeting fans across the festival with vibrant performances. On Sunday night, the Marching Crusaders from The Roots of Music made history as the first student marching band to perform inside Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest. The CMA Foundation’s Student Mission Moments, presented by Music Has Value, spotlighted young performers throughout the weekend: Ravenwood High School kicked things off Thursday morning with a marching performance outside Fan Fair X; on Friday, Nashville School of the Arts student songwriter Kingston Kharif joined Jordan Dozzi, Mae Estes, RaeLynn, and Emmet Stevens Jr. for a special writers round on the CMA Close Up Stage, hosted by The Listening Room; on Saturday, the Percy Priest Elementary School House Band helped open Wynonna Judd’s Girls Night Out at Ascend Amphitheater, introduced by Big Machine Label Group Founder, Chairman and CEO Scott Borchetta, whose remarks reflected his long-standing commitment to music education; and on Sunday, Hillsboro High School’s Golden Cadence ensemble took the Chevy Vibes Stage for a collaborative performance with Mackenzie Carpenter. In addition, marching bands from Riverdale High School and Stratford STEM Magnet High School also brought excitement to the festival footprint—Riverdale with a Friday morning march inside Fan Fair X, led by 2025 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Nicholas Efstathiou, and Stratford with a performance on Lower Broadway Saturday morning. The CMA Foundation’s Backstage Academy, presented by EqualizeHer, offered five young women, ages 18-22, hands-on access to the world of live music production while supporting the next generation of female leaders in the industry. The CMA Foundation also welcomed students from Sign Language Studios to Saturday night’s event at Ascend Amphitheater, celebrating the importance of inclusivity and accessibility in live music. The CMA Foundation also partnered with the Empower Campaign to welcome a group of Metro Nashville Public School teachers and a Vanderbilt University music education student to CMA Fest for a behind-the-scenes learning experience, including observation of The Roots of Music’s rehearsal and soundcheck, followed by a Q&A and networking session with program leaders Derrick Tabb and Lawrence Rawlins, Jr.
Fans had several meaningful opportunities to support the CMA Foundation throughout CMA Fest. On Saturday, Carly’s Closet returned with Carly Pearce offering items from her personal wardrobe and an acoustic performance, all to benefit music education. Throughout all four days, fans could shop exclusive CMA Fest merchandise that gives back, including custom posters by Friendly Arctic and guitar string bracelets by Strung—available at Fan Fair X, online, and at Nissan Stadium, with a portion of proceeds supporting the CMA Foundation’s mission. Inside Fan Fair X, fans could also browse artists’ wardrobes at The Archives and bid on exclusive items through The Backstage Auction, in partnership with SOLID, with proceeds from both benefiting the CMA Foundation. And Fitness at Fest, presented by CELSIUS®, brought high-energy, donation-based workouts to the Good Molecules Reverb Stage on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Musically Fed, an organization that fights to end hunger by working with the music industry to distribute excess food from touring shows and events, donated food from various catering locations during CMA Fest, ultimately delivering the excess to Room in the Inn, Matthew 25, Safe Haven, Operation Stand Down, Nashville Rescue Mission, St. Vincent de Paul and more.
The 53rd CMA Fest presented by SoFi will take place in Nashville from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2026. Tickets will be available for purchase on Thursday, June 26 at Ticketmaster. Sign up for CMA’s Country Connection emails and visit CMAfest.com for presale information and more updates.
“CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” the three-hour primetime television special hosted by Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, airs Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC and streams next day on Hulu.
About CMA Fest
For more than 50 years, CMA Fest has united the Country Music community, bringing fans, artists and industry professionals together for four unforgettable days in the heart of Nashville. What began in 1972 as Fan Fair® with just 5,000 attendees has evolved into the longest-running Country Music festival in the world, drawing an estimated 95,000 daily attendees. CMA Fest is more than a festival—it’s a celebration of the connection between artists and fans, featuring hundreds of performances and collaborations across multiple stages, once-in-a-lifetime moments, and the vibrant energy of Nashville, all fueling something bigger than the event itself. CMA Fest artists donate their time, turning their performances and appearances into purpose, with proceeds supporting music education through the CMA Foundation. This year marks the 22nd consecutive year that CMA has produced a summer music program to air as a network television special on ABC.
About the CMA Foundation
The CMA Foundation transforms lives through the power of music education. Established by the Country Music Association in 2011 and headquartered in Nashville, TN, the nonprofit 501(c)(3) invests in high-quality programs that ensure all students have access to music. In partnership with the music industry and like-minded nonprofits, the CMA Foundation directs research-informed funding where it makes the greatest impact—empowering music teachers through professional development, providing resources for classrooms and programs, and creating life-changing opportunities for students.
About SoFi
SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ: SOFI) is a one-stop shop for digital financial services on a mission to help people achieve financial independence to realize their ambitions. Over 10.9 million members trust SoFi to borrow, save, spend, invest, and protect their money – all in one app – and get access to financial planners, exclusive experiences, and a thriving community. Fintechs, financial institutions, and brands use SoFi’s technology platform Galileo to build and manage innovative financial solutions across 158.4 million global accounts. For more information, visit www.sofi.com or download our iOS and Android apps.
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For more information about CMA Fest, visit CMAfest.com.
