Ella Langley performs on day one at Nissan Stadium
All Photos © Steve Galli for Full Access Media Group
Story by Chloe Catajan for Full Access Media Group
The world’s longest-running country music festival is still full of surprises.
CMA Fest presented by SoFi returned to Nashville this June with standout performances from today’s biggest country stars. Hundreds of thousands attended Nissan Stadium across four days to witness Jason Aldean throw “My Kinda Party,” Blake Shelton bring out hits “Boys ‘Round Here” and “Texas,” and The Red Clay Strays spread “Sunshine” with their soulful magic.
Traditions like homages to Music City, up-close-and-personal fan moments, guest collaborations, and Grand Ole Opry invitations came left and right, and yet, there was a special feeling of transformation in the air. Maybe it was the impending end of an era, as the festival gets ready to trade the old Nissan Stadium grounds for a new one next year. Or maybe it was the evolving sounds of country, from bluegrass and gospel to infusions of punk and hip-hop, melting into one right before your eyes and ears. Whatever it was, it made for another memorable celebration at the heart of Nashville.
See CMA Fest highlights from the lens of photographer Steve Galli below, and stream “CMA Fest presented by SoFi” hosted by Riley Green and Lara Spencer, on Hulu, Thursday, June 25, 2026.
Jason Aldean performs on day one at Nissan Stadium
Blake Shelton performs on day two at Nissan Stadium
Brandon Coleman on The Red Clay Strays performs on day two at Nissan Stadium
Traditions with a twist
Of course, CMA Fest kicked off with a tradition tried and true to celebrate the Red, White and Blue. CeCe Frey, better known as CeCe, opened the Chevy Riverfront Stage with a powerful performance of the national anthem. The country pop star delivered her rendition a’cappella style while rocking a rhinestoned denim jumpsuit and her signature “buzzcut n boots.”
Things stayed eventful at the Chevy Riverfront Stage as Russell Dickerson invited local marching band, “Howling Sound of the South,” onstage. The RePublic High School ensemble flaunted red bandanas and their impressive horns and percussion sections, while hyping up the crowd alongside Dickerson.
Waylon Wyatt’s set at the Chevy Riverfront also drew one of the stage’s biggest moments of the weekend. At one point, Wyatt Flores joined the stage and invited Waylon Wyatt to debut at the Grand Ole Opry next month, which made for a wholesome scene that quickly went viral. The modern trailblazer, who will also soon embark on a world tour for his debut album Dustpiles, sounded great at the mic and with his Martin acoustic guitar.
CeCe performs The National Anthem on day one at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Russell Dickerson performs on day one at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Waylon Wyatt and Wyatt Flores perform on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Star-studded surprises
As festival tradition goes, CMA Fest had many surprises in store.
Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley made an unexpected reunion as Florida Georgia Line. Hubbard and Kelley appeared on opposite ends of the Nissan Stadium before eventually meeting at the main stage to perform “Cruise” together.
Hubbard declared, “We back, baby!” — a moment that easily became one of the most quoted of the weekend.
Heartthrob actor Glen Powell also made a surprise appearance during Riley Green’s performance, turning CMA Fest into a film set. He showed up in character wearing a half-buttoned Western shirt, a black ten-gallon hat, turquoise jewelry, and a belt with a buckle that read “KING,” as he proceeded to take a “shoey,” which involves chugging beer out of a boot.
The moment was literally a scene from a movie, filmed for Powell’s upcoming role in country music comedy The Comeback King.
Florida Georgia Line performs on day one at Nissan Stadium
Glen Powell appears on day four at Nissan Stadium
Rap goes rustic
It’s safe to say that Shaboozey is a mainstay in the CMA family, having performed at every CMA Fest the last three years. The country star always brings a good time with his infectious blend of Americana hip-hop.
“Welcome to the Boozey party,” he said as he kicked off his set. “Let’s start with something new.”
Shaboozey debuted his brand new single, “Cowgirl,” to which several fans already knew the words. He also brought American Dogwood (Shaboozey’s label) signee Kevin Powers onstage to perform “Move On” together, and later ended with his viral hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Many of the weekend’s surprises were also soundtracked by the glorious sounds of country rap, blending Southern twang with rhythmic beats and hard-hitting bars.
For instance, a mysterious gap in Thursday’s schedule turned into a special performance from none other than Jelly Roll.
“Can we go to church right now, please?” the rapper cried out before jumping into a pretty powerful set consisting of songs like “Rise Up,” “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” “Son of a Sinner,” “Amen,” and “Save Me.
Sunday also had some special guests, with Chase Matthew bringing Waka Flocka Flame onto the Chevy Riverfront Stage to perform “Hard Liquor” together.
Later in the day, Russell Dickerson teamed up with Fetty Wap on the main stage to play “Trap Queen.”
Shaboozey performs on day two at Nissan Stadium
Jelly Roll performs on day one at Nissan Stadium
Waka Flocka Flame and Chase Matthew perform on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Russell Dickerson and Fetty Wap perform on day four at Nissan Stadium
A ditty turned duet
Some main stage acts showed that sometimes two is better than one when it came to certain songs.
On Friday, Jo Dee Messina brought out Lauren Daigle to perform “Goodness of God” and “Who Else” together. The two country icons were powerful forces together and Messina called the collaboration a “special moment of worship” in a press statement.
Keith Urban also brought out Michael McDonald onto the Nissan Stadium Main Stage for a heartfelt performance of their collaboration song, “We Go Back.” Both country legends sounded great together as Urban rocked back and forth singing and shredding on his Paul Reed Smith electric guitar, while McDonald locked in to deliver his epic vocals.
On Saturday, Tim McGraw teamed up with Lainey Wilson on McGraw’s 1995 hit “I Like It, I Love It.” The energized duet was a full-circle moment for Wilson, who once wrote a fan letter to McGraw asking for a chance to perform together.
Come Sunday, Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, and headliner Luke Bryan kept the momentum going with their own special guests as well.
Bailey Zimmerman invited Brandon Lake for a moving performance of “Just Believe.”
Riley Green brought out Hannah McFarland for “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
And Luke Bryan had George Birge join him to perform their collaboration song, “Ride, Ride, Ride,” together.
Lauren Daigle and Jo Dee Messina performs on day two at Nissan Stadium
Keith Urban and Michael McDonald perform on day two at Nissan Stadium
Tim McGraw performs on day three at Nissan Stadium
Bailey Zimmerman performs on day four at Nissan Stadium
Bailey Zimmerman performs on day four at Nissan Stadium
Luke Bryan performs on day four at Nissan Stadium
CMA Fest Exclusives
Part of what made the experience at CMA Fest special was its lineup of exclusive performances and appearances.
Chiefs, a bar on Broadway in Downtown Nashville, hosted a series of intimate sets and talks from big-ticket acts. Those who made appearances included The Band Perry, Jon Pardi, Blake Shelton, Cody Johnson, Dasha and Julia Cole.
Wynonna Judd, flanked by a full band, also gave a special performance, which included the debut of her new single, “Kentucky Queen.”
The events at Chiefs were hosted by SiriusXM channel The Highway, who ran a program all weekend long called, “Music Row Happy Hour: CMA Fest Edition.” The happy hour gave attendees a tiny getaway from the hustle, bustle, and heat of the main festival.
Additionally, there was the CMA Closeup Stage Q&A, where performers and other special guests hosted fireside chats. The bill for this stage included Shaboozey and Midland, who discussed Shaboozey’s upcoming album The Outlaw Cherie Lee & Other Western Tales, as well as the importance of representation among the festival lineup.
Also at the CMA Closeup Stage were Tanya Tucker and Dennis Quaid also made an appearance, with Quaid’s dog Peaches stealing the show. Both stars gave some touching insight regarding their new music video, “On My Way to Heaven” video which features the final film appearance of country legend, Kris Kristofferson.
The Band Perry performs on day one at Chief’s on Broadway
Jon Pardi performs on day one at Chief’s on Broadway
Cody Johnson performs on day two at Chief’s on Broadway
Dasha on day three at Chief’s on Broadway
Julia Cole performs on day one at Chief’s on Broadway
Wynonna performs on day two at Chief’s on Broadway
Shaboozey & Midland on day three at the CMA Closeup Stage
Tanya Tucker and Dennis Quaid w/Peaches on day three at the CMA Closeup Stage
More Highlights
Photographer Steve Galli caught upwards of 70 sets at CMA Fest this year. Here are the rest of his highlights across each day.
On Thursday, June 4, the Chevy Riverfront Stage saw solid performances from Stephen Wilson Jr., while the Chevy Vibes Stage kicked off the weekend strong with Walker Montgomery.
Stephen Wilson Jr. performs on day one at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Walker Montgomery performs on day one at the Chevy Vibes Stage
Stella Lefty graced the Good Molecules Reverb Stage, and Gretchen Wilson, Rhett Akins, Tucker Wetmore, Ella Langley all took the Nissan Stadium Main Stage.
On Friday, June 5, the Chevy Riverfront Stage was popping with talent from Chayce Beckham, Kameron Marlowe, Laci Kaye Booth, and Tyler Braden.
Melissa Etheridge and Detroit native Uncle Kracker were standouts at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage. And Cody Johnson, Deana Carter and The Band Perry rocked the main stage.
On Saturday, June 6, the Chevy Riverfront Stage had another eventful day with performances from Maddox Batson, Nate Smith, Ian Munsick, Kaitlin Butts, and Carter Faith.
Emily Ann Roberts and Blanco Brown took the Dr Pepper Amp Stage, while the main stage hosted powerhouse sets from Sarah Evans, Carly Pearce, Zach Top, Jordan Davis, and Lainey Wilson.
Sunday, June 7, rounded out CMA Fest weekend strong with sets from Lauren Alaina, Tigirlily Gold, Priscilla Block, Max McNown, Molly Tuttle, and Marcus King at the Chevy Riverfront Stage; Neal McCoy at the Chevy Vibes Stage; Pam Tillis and Canaan Smith at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage; and Clay Walker, HARDY, and Stephen Wilson Jr. at the main stage.
Next year’s CMA Fest will take place on Thursday, June 10 through Sunday, June 13, 2027 at the new Nissan Stadium in Downtown Nashville.
Lainey Wilson performs on day three at the Nissan Stadium
Stella Lefty performs on day one at the Good Molecules Reverb Stage
Riley Green joins Carly Pearce on day three at the Nissan Stadium
Marcus King joins Jordan Davis on day three at the Nissan Stadium
Keith Urban performs on day two at Nissan Stadium
Rhett Akins performs on day one at the Nissan Stadium
Tucker Wetmore performs on day one at the Nissan Stadium
Zach Top performs on day three at the Nissan Stadium
Hardy performs on day four at the Nissan Stadium
Sara Evans performs on day three at the Nissan Stadium
Russell Dickerson performs on day one at Chief’s on Broadway
Canaan Smith performs on day four at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage
Blanco Brown performs on day three at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage
Marcus King performs on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Elizabeth Nichols on day three at Chief’s on Broadway
Chayce Beckham performs on day two at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Kameron Marlowe performs on day two at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Laci Kaye Booth performs on day two at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Tyler Braden performs on day two at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Melissa Etheridge performs on day two at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage
Uncle Cracker performs on day two at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage
The Band Perry and perform on day two at the Nissan Stadium
Kaitlin Butts performs on day three at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Emily Ann Roberts performs on day three at the Dr Pepper Amp Stage
Lauren Alaina (and Beni) perform on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Max McNown performs on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Molly Tuttle performs on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Neal McCoy performs on day four at the Chevy Vibes Stage
Pam Tillis performs on day four at the Dr Pepper AMP Stage
Priscilla Block performs on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Tigerlily Gold performs on day four at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Maddox Baston performs on day three at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Nate Smith performs on day three at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Ian Munsick performs on day three at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Carter Faith performs on day three at the Chevy Riverfront Stage
Deana Carter performs on day one at Nissan Stadium
Michael Buffer announces on day one at the Nissan Stadium
Lara Spencer announces on day four at the Nissan Stadium
All Photos © Steve Galli for Full Access Media Group
Story by Chloe Catajan for Full Access Media Group
