CMA Fest 2025 Lineup Drops

The countdown is on. Nashville’s streets are about to explode with music, energy, and more cowboy boots than Broadway can handle. CMA Fest 2025 is officially set for June 5–8, and the Country Music Association just dropped its massive first wave of talent — over 200 artists, from living legends to the next big things, spread across six electric stages.

And while CMA Fest has always been the place where country’s past, present and future collide, this year’s lineup feels especially stacked — like a love letter to the genre’s unstoppable momentum.

⭐ A Stadium-Sized Statement

Headlining the nightly shows at Nissan Stadium (which doubles as the set for ABC’s annual summer special) are names that practically define country stardom: Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, and Jason Aldean. But they’ll be joined by a wave of artists who’ve been burning up the charts lately — Kelsea Ballerini, Shaboozey, Cody Johnson, and Megan Moroney, all ready to prove that the genre’s future is just as bright as its past.

And if that’s not enough, Rascal Flatts is on the list too. Could a reunion performance be in the cards? Country fans are already buzzing.

🎟️ Tickets, Access & Where to Be

CMA Fest has always offered something for every kind of fan — and 2025 is no exception. Whether you’re going full VIP, grabbing a 4-night stadium pass, or hopping between free outdoor stages, there’s a way to be part of it.

• Nissan Stadium: Main stage. Big moments. Airs on ABC/Hulu.
• Chevy Riverfront Stage: Daytime riverfront sets, often longer than what you’ll see in the stadium. Megan Moroney and Ella Langley will pull double duty here.
• Ascend Amphitheater (Dr Pepper Amp Stage): A cozy, sunset-lit home for veteran acts like Rodney Atkins, Jamie O’Neal, and Darryl Worley.
• Chevy Vibes Stage, Good Molecules Reverb Stage, and the Hard Rock Stage: Your best bet for discovering the artists you’ll be talking about next year. Expect TikTok stars, Nashville hopefuls, and fan favorites playing for crowds that feel like family.

And yes — Fan Fair X returns, giving fans daytime access to artist meet-and-greets, acoustic sets, exclusive merch, and all the fan-forward goodness CMA Fest is known for.

🎤 A Genre on Fire

It’s not just the number of names that impresses — it’s who they are. CMA Fest 2025 is clearly tapping into the full range of country’s growing diversity, with genre-blenders like Shaboozey, soulful storytellers like Ashley McBryde, and festival newcomers like Tigirlily Gold, Dasha, and Walker Montgomery all landing key slots.

And while the Riverfront Stage has long been a launchpad, this year it feels like a proving ground. Artists like Gabby Barrett, Marcus King, and Ian Munsick are poised to break even bigger — and they know it.

🎥 CMA Fest on Screen & Behind the Scenes

As always, the nightly Nissan Stadium shows will be filmed and aired as a TV special later this summer on ABC and Hulu, produced by longtime showrunner Robert Deaton and directed by Alan Carter. Expect surprise collaborations, crowd-surfing guitar solos, and more than one moment that’ll blow up your socials.

And just a heads-up: if you’re driving, parking around Nissan Stadium will be tighter than usual due to ongoing construction of the city’s new stadium. CMA is encouraging fans to walk, shuttle, or rideshare when possible.

✨ Why CMA Fest 2025 Matters

There are music festivals, and then there’s CMA Fest — a four-day, citywide celebration of a genre that keeps evolving while staying rooted in storytelling and connection. It’s not just a lineup; it’s a pilgrimage for fans, artists, and anyone who’s ever rolled down a window with the radio turned up.

With ticket searches already spiking and Nashville hotel rooms going fast, CMA Fest 2025 is shaping up to be the can’t-miss country event of the year.