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Country music’s biggest night is back. It’s far from the Country Music Association’s first rodeo.
The 59th annual CMAs will be broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, featuring unmissable performances from some of the country’s hottest artists.
No cable? no problem. Read everything you need to know to watch every song until the end (it’s free).
When will CMA Awards 2025 be held?
The 2025 Country Music Awards will air on November 19, 2025 at 8 PM ET (but if you tune in early, ABC’s red carpet coverage starts at 5 PM and includes interviews and fashion commentary).
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards for free
The show will air on ABC this year, so cord cutters will likely need a live TV streaming service to watch it in real time. One of our favorites is DIRECTV, which offers a 5-day free trial (subsequent plans start at $46 for a 90+ channel lineup).
The entertainment plan also gives you access to ESPN, Disney+, and Hulu, so it’s worth the investment whether you’re a sports fan or a movie buff.
Who is hosting the 2025 CMA Awards?
Laney Wilson will return as host this year, marking her first time hosting the show alone. (Last year, she shared the stage with Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan).
“I’m just proud and I feel really great joy. I mean, this is a big deal. This is a big old job that needs to be filled,” she said at a press conference. “I don’t take it lightly.”
She also revealed that she asked Reba McEntire for advice before the big night, with the country music icon telling her to “enjoy it the way it is.”
Who will be nominated for the 2025 CMA Awards?
This is the first year that three female solo artists have shared the lead for most CMA nominations. Wilson, Megan Moloney and Ella Langley had the most nominations of the night, each receiving six nods.
Zack Top also has five nominations, while Riley Greene and Cody Johnson enter tonight with four nominations each. Other top contenders include Christian Busch, Carson Chamberlain, Luke Combs, Charlie Handsome, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen, all of whom will have three chances to take home the trophy tonight.
Vince Gill will also receive the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and receive a celebratory award.
Who will perform at the 2025 CMA Awards?
The star-studded list of performers includes (just to name a few) Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlyle, Kenny Chesney, Riley Greene, Little Big Town, Patti Lovelace, and Keith Urban.
In true CMA fashion, the night will also feature several genre-mixing duets, including BigXthaPlug performing with Luke Combs and Shabouzy joining Wilson on stage to perform the ballad “Took A Walk.”
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