Opry 100: Luke Combs Leads London Debut at Royal Albert Hall

The Grand Ole Opry marked its centennial with a history-making first: a live show outside the United States, staged at London’s Royal Albert Hall. More than 5,000 fans filled the iconic venue for a one-night-only celebration that brought together Opry members, UK guests, and a century’s worth of tradition. At the center of the lineup was Luke Combs, whose barnstorming set underlined the Opry’s ability to honor its past while looking firmly ahead.

A Century of Tradition Abroad

The evening carried the weight of 100 years of history. To symbolize that legacy, artists performed on a circle of wood transported from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, the Opry’s most famous former home. The gesture, familiar to those who have visited the Opry House in Nashville, made clear that the circle had truly crossed the Atlantic.

Opry executive producer Dan Rogers framed the night as a milestone: “This is more than a concert. It’s the Opry family opening its arms to the world.” His words echoed in a hall that quickly proved ready to embrace country music.

A Star-Studded Lineup

The lineup blended Nashville heavyweights with British talent. Opry members Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde, Darius Rucker, and Marty Stuart shared the bill with Mumford & Sons and Scottish group Breabach. Together they delivered a mix of solos, duets, and cross-cultural collaborations that reinforced the Opry’s collaborative spirit.

Darius Rucker drew a thunderous reaction when he asked the crowd, “Who loves country music?” The response was immediate and overwhelming, setting the tone for a night where the Opry felt at home far from Nashville.

Memorable Collaborations

Collaboration defined the show. Pearce and Combs tore into “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” their voices lifting the hall into a standing ovation. Rucker teamed with Breabach for a Celtic-infused “Wagon Wheel,” complete with bagpipes that sent roars through the audience. McBryde joined Stuart for “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’ Anymore,” while Combs and Marcus Mumford united on Willie Nelson’s “Always On My Mind.”

As Ashley McBryde reflected later, “The Opry is about sharing songs and sharing the circle — tonight we got to share it with London too.” Her words captured the heart of an evening that bridged not only voices but cultures.

Highlights of Individual Sets

Carly Pearce provided one of the night’s most emotional moments, playing a voicemail from Loretta Lynn before performing “Dear Miss Loretta” in hushed silence. Marty Stuart delivered mandolin fire on “Orange Blossom Special,” reminding audiences of his years alongside Johnny Cash.

Ashley McBryde’s rendition of “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” brought tears, while Darius Rucker powered through Hootie & the Blowfish classic “Hold My Hand” and a rousing “Folsom Prison Blues.” When Combs arrived in his Opry cap, the energy surged. He rolled through “When It Rains It Pours,” “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” and his crossover hit “Fast Car,” with every voice in the hall joining in.

Luke Combs described the experience simply: “Playing the Opry circle is always special, but doing it here — in London — that’s something I’ll never forget.”

A Circle Unbroken

The finale saw all the performers gather for “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” Arms draped over shoulders, voices harmonizing, the Royal Albert Hall briefly transformed into Nashville’s own Opry House.

For those not in the room, the Opry partnered with BBC Radio 2 and BBC Two, ensuring the music reached millions more. Veteran broadcaster Bob Harris said, “Country music has found a true home with UK audiences, and nights like this prove it.”

---

For the first time in its 100-year history, the Grand Ole Opry is coming to the UK.

As part of the Opry’s landmark centennial celebration – Opry 100 – country music’s most iconic institution is going international with an unforgettable live show at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Friday, September 26, 2025.

This historic event, titled Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, will mark the Opry’s UK debut, bringing together an all-star lineup of Opry members, American country legends, and special UK guests for one night only.

If you’ve been waiting for the moment that country music’s most sacred stage took its message global – this is it.

---

What Is the Grand Ole Opry?

Founded in 1925 in Nashville, Tennessee, the Grand Ole Opry is widely considered the home of country music. Often called “the show that made country music famous,” the Opry has been instrumental in launching the careers of countless stars – from Hank Williams and Dolly Parton to Garth Brooks and Kelsea Ballerini.

This 100-year milestone – known as Opry 100 – represents not only a look back at the genre’s rich legacy, but a bold step forward as country continues its global expansion.

And now, with Opry: Live in London, that celebration is officially crossing borders.

---

Grand Ole Opry: Live in London – Lineup and Details

Venue: Royal Albert Hall, London

Date: Friday, September 26, 2025

Tickets On Sale: Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. BST

Visit royalalberthall.com for tickets

Official Lineup – Opry Members Performing:

• Luke Combs UK 2025 appearance – Global superstar and chart-dominating country headliner
• Darius Rucker – Iconic vocalist and country crossover pioneer
• Carly Pearce – CMA and ACM Award-winning powerhouse
• Ashley McBryde – Grammy-winning storyteller with raw Southern roots
• Marty Stuart – Country music legend with deep ties to the Opry tradition

Hosted by:

• Kelly Sutton, Grand Ole Opry announcer & WSM Radio personality
• Vernon Kay, BBC Radio 2 presenter and passionate country music advocate

Plus: Special UK guests to be announced soon!

---

Why This Matters: A Milestone for Country Music Fans in the UK

This isn’t just another tour stop. This is the Grand Ole Opry’s first-ever international show, and it’s happening in London – a city that’s become an epicenter for the country music explosion in Europe.

With Luke Combs in London, joined by fellow Opry members and legends like Darius Rucker and Marty Stuart, fans in the UK will witness something no audience outside of Nashville ever has: the Opry live and in full glory.

Held at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, the show bridges two cultural icons – the most famous venue in the UK and the most influential stage in American country music.

---

The Opry 100 Goes Global

This event is part of Opry 100, the Opry’s year-long celebration of its centennial anniversary. With shows, collaborations, and surprises happening all over the U.S., “Opry: Live in London” is the crowning jewel of its international campaign – and a major statement about the genre’s growing global footprint.

As artists like Luke Combs, Zach Bryan, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen continue to dominate streaming and sell out international dates, this London event couldn’t come at a better time.

---

How to Get Tickets for Opry Royal Albert Hall

Tickets for Grand Ole Opry: Live in London go on sale Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. BST via royalalberthall.com. Given the lineup, the Opry legacy, and the rarity of this event, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

---

Don’t Miss This Once-in-a-Lifetime Show

Whether you’re a die-hard Opry fan, a London-based country loyalist, or new to the genre and curious about the hype, this is the must-see country music event of the decade in the UK.

Be part of history. Be there when the Opry goes global.