Nashville, Tennessee, once again played host to the world’s longest-running country music festival, CMA Fest, from June 5-8, 2025. Marking its 52nd year, the event drew an estimated 95,000 fans to downtown Nashville, transforming the Music City into a vibrant hub of live performances, fan interactions, and unforgettable moments. For those who couldn’t make it to the heart of country music, a special three-hour television event, “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” is set to air on ABC on Thursday, June 26, at 7 p.m. CT (8/7c), with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
The festival, now known as CMA Fest, has a rich history dating back to 1972 when it was first established as “Fan Fair” by WSM radio in coordination with the Country Music Association (CMA). The inaugural four-day event, held at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, welcomed 5,000 fans. Over the decades, it has evolved significantly, moving to June in 1973 to attract more visitors, then to the Nashville Fairgrounds by 1982. A major transformation occurred in 2001 when the festival relocated to various downtown Nashville sites, including Nissan Stadium, the Nashville Convention Center, Bridgestone Arena, and Riverfront Park, and shifted to a long weekend format. The event was rebranded as the “CMA Music Festival” in 2004 and finally as “CMA Fest” in 2017. Throughout its history, a core principle has remained: artists generously donate their time and talent, with all proceeds benefiting music education programs in public schools through the CMA Foundation, the charitable arm of the CMA. [Source]
The 2025 festival continued this tradition of unparalleled fan access and star-studded performances. The upcoming ABC special, hosted by country music stars Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde, promises to bring the energy of the festival directly into viewers’ homes. The broadcast will feature a packed lineup of top artists and exciting collaborations, showcasing some of the best moments from the four-day event. Performers slated to appear include Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, BigXthaPlug, Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Jordan Davis, Riley Green, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, Ella Langley, Carín León, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Rascal Flatts, The Red Clay Strays, Darius Rucker, Dylan Scott, Shaboozey, Blake Shelton, Zach Top, Travis Tritt, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman. [Source]
Notable collaborations to be featured in the special include Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt performing “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive,” Dierks Bentley and Zach Top with a medley of “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)” and “Mountain Music,” Brooks & Dunn teaming up with Lainey Wilson for “Play Something Country” and Marcus King for “Rock My World (Little Country Girl),” Cody Johnson and Carín León on “She Hurts Like Tequila,” Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll with “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” Rascal Flatts and Carly Pearce performing “My Wish,” Shaboozey and Jelly Roll on “Amen,” Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins with “Hillbilly Bone,” and Bailey Zimmerman alongside BigXthaPlug for “All The Way.” [Source]
SoFi served as the first-ever broadcast presenting sponsor for CMA Fest, aligning with the festival’s mission to inspire financial independence through the power of music. As part of this partnership, SoFi has launched the “Rising Stars Program” in collaboration with CMA Award-winning artist Kelsea Ballerini and tnAchieves, encouraging Tennessee students to invest in their futures. [Source]
For those already planning for next year, four-night stadium passes for the 53rd CMA Fest, scheduled for June 4-7, 2026, are set to go on sale Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CDT via Ticketmaster. Early access was provided to CMA Country Connection email subscribers starting June 23, 2025, and SoFi Plus members will also have exclusive access to purchase passes from June 26 to July 3, 2025. [Source]
CMA Fest continues to be a testament to the enduring bond between country music artists and their dedicated fans, all while contributing significantly to music education initiatives nationwide.
