This June, downtown Nashville hosted an extraordinary weekend as CMA Fest presented by SoFi wrapped its 52nd year, solidifying its place as the longest-running Country Music festival in the world. From June 5-8, 2025, an estimated 95,000 fans converged on Music City from all 50 states and 33 countries, proving once again that Country Music is a global language that unites. More than just four days of non-stop live music, CMA Fest 2025 was a powerful celebration of community, connection, and a deep commitment to giving back, culminating in a remarkable more than $2 million gift to the CMA Foundation to strengthen music education programs nationwide.
“What an incredible four days and nights. Even with a few weather interruptions, the energy and spirit of our fans never faded,” shared Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “From legendary acts to artists playing CMA Fest for the very first time, this year was a celebration of discovery, connection and community. And the fact that it all helps fund the CMA Foundation’s work in music education makes it even more impactful.”
Unforgettable Moments Around Every Corner
With over 300 performances across multiple stages, CMA Fest delivered powerful memories at every turn. Fans experienced everything from intimate pop-up sets to explosive stadium moments, all brimming with that unique fan-artist connection. The Chevy Riverfront Stage kicked off the festival with a bang, as 2024 CMA New Artist of the Year Megan Moroney drew a massive capacity crowd on Thursday morning.
Nissan Stadium, the festival’s main hub, was a constant source of electrifying surprises. Fans went wild for unannounced appearances by legends like Trace Adkins and Travis Tritt, genre-blending star Jelly Roll, internet sensation Noah Kahan, and even contemporary worship artist Brandon Lake. Country powerhouses BigXthaPlug and Lainey Wilson also thrilled stadium crowds with surprise guest spots.
Beyond the headliners, the festival celebrated discovery, with more than 100 artists making their CMA Fest debut throughout the weekend. A truly heartwarming moment arrived on Sunday night, when the Marching Crusaders, a student band from New Orleans’ The Roots of Music program, delivered a show-stopping performance inside Nissan Stadium, showcasing the direct impact of music education.
Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, the newly introduced Fan Alley quickly became a fan favorite, brimming with immersive activations, exciting giveaways, and surprise moments from top brand partners. In total, 59 brand and marketing partners contributed to the festival’s energy, creating countless touchpoints for fans.
SoFi’s Commitment to the Next Generation
As the presenting partner, SoFi played a significant role in enhancing the fan experience and furthering music education. Their SoFi Plus Lounge offered a cool oasis, highlighted by an exclusive SoFi Plus Experience featuring a surprise appearance by Kelsea Ballerini before her headlining Nissan Stadium performance. Ballerini joined SoFi Chief Marketing Officer, Lauren Stafford-Webb, for a candid conversation about their shared mission to empower the next generation with financial literacy. The event culminated in an acoustic performance of “Baggage” and a spotlight on the Rising Stars Program, a new partnership between SoFi, Ballerini, and tnAchieves, set to invest over $2 million in financial literacy resources for Tennessee students. This includes offering each student a minimum of $5 in stock and the chance to receive up to $1,000 to kickstart their investment portfolios.
Nissan Stadium: Four Nights of Epic Performances
Each night at Nissan Stadium brought its own unique blend of star power, surprising collaborations, and unforgettable memories:
- Thursday Night Kickoff: The stadium exploded with energy as K. Michelle delivered a powerful national anthem, followed by Charles Esten. Ella Langley and Riley Green traded collaborations, setting the stage for signature hits from Darius Rucker and an engaging performance from Scotty McCreery. Platform Stage stars Tigirlily Gold and Max McNown showcased rising talent. Brooks & Dunn kept the momentum high, bringing out Lainey Wilson for a fiery “Play Something Country” and Marcus King for a blistering “Rock My World (Little Country Girl).” The night closed with Jason Aldean‘s powerhouse set, featuring a surprise duet with Travis Tritt on “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive.”
- Friday Night’s Genre-Blending Celebration: The evening began with Rita Wilson, followed by Shaboozey who brought the house down with a surprise appearance by Jelly Roll for their viral hit “Amen.” Parker McCollum kept the energy high before Cody Johnson teamed up with Carín León for a standout rendition of “She Hurts Like Tequila.” One of the most powerful moments came when Jelly Roll returned to the center stage with Brandon Lake for a moving “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” accompanied by a dramatic drone display. Platform Stage talent included Kameron Marlowe and Sam Barber. Kelsea Ballerini delivered a hit-filled set, delighting fans with two surprise duets with Noah Kahan – “Cowboys Cry Too” and “Stick Season.” Keith Urban closed the night with his signature dynamic headlining performance.
- Saturday Night’s Mix of Nostalgia and New School: Deana Carter set the stage for breakout band The Red Clay Strays and a crowd-pleasing set from Blake Shelton, who welcomed Trace Adkins for a solo performance of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” before they teamed up for “Hell Right” and “Hillbilly Bone.” Tiera Kennedy and Carter Faith brought fresh energy to the Platform Stage. Megan Moroney captivated the crowd with her highly anticipated set, while Jordan Davis delivered a confident, hit-packed performance. Rascal Flatts closed the night with chart-topping favorites, capped by a surprise appearance from Carly Pearce on a heartfelt “My Wish.”
- Sunday Night’s Memorable Finale: Rodney Atkins kicked off the final night, even welcoming his son Elijah to the stage. Zach Top delivered a breakout performance with his throwback sound. Emerging artists Avery Anna, Kashus Culpepper, and Tucker Wetmore added fresh momentum on the Platform Stage. Ashley McBryde‘s powerful set closed with an unforgettable collaboration: the Marching Crusaders from The Roots of Music joining her for a show-stopping “Boogie Wonderland.” Bailey Zimmerman surprised fans with BigXthaPlug for “All The Way” and brought out Josh Ross for “Backup Plan.” Dylan Scott connected with fans, while Dierks Bentley returned with his signature humor and hits, joined by Zach Top for a high-octane medley. Luke Bryan brought the weekend to a triumphant close with a finale worthy of CMA Fest’s biggest stage.
Beyond the Stadium: Ascend Amphitheater and Fan Fair X
Ascend Amphitheater once again lit up the Nashville riverfront with three nights of unique programming. Thursday’s Whiskey Jam showcase delivered a genre-blending lineup including Graham Barham, Gabby Barrett, Randy Houser, Ian Munsick, and Colbie Caillat. Friday’s Jake Owen & Friends offered a laid-back night of hits, featuring Wynn Williams, Lukas Nelson, and a surprise appearance from Sara Evans. Saturday closed with Wynonna Judd’s Girls Night Out, a powerful celebration of female artistry with sets from Madeline Edwards and Sara Evans, and appearances by The War And Treaty, Noah Cyrus, and a high-energy finale featuring Lainey Wilson joining Wynonna.
Inside Music City Center, Fan Fair X remained a vital hub for fans seeking artist access, unique experiences, and a welcome escape from the summer heat. The CMA Close Up Stage hosted packed conversations and special appearances, including a powerful discussion with Trisha Yearwood about her forthcoming album, The Mirror, and a lively Country Central songwriter round. Rascal Flatts took the spotlight as Saturday’s Artist of the Day, joining Amazon’s “Country Heat Weekly” podcast for a live taping. Other highlights included genre-blending insights from Mitchell Tenpenny and Tyler Braden, a celebration of Latino trailblazers in Country, and exclusive performances from The War And Treaty and Coffey Anderson. The Spotlight Stage featured over 30 first-time CMA Fest performers, each warmly welcomed by CMA’s Industry Relations team with a commemorative pin.
Fan Fair X also offered incredible one-on-one moments with 475 artist meet & greets, including popular moments with Walker Hayes and Brandon Lake. Unique activations like Wags & Walks Rescue Nashville, iT Cosmetics, and The Reba House (featuring iconic outfits and a replica of Reba McEntire’s legendary chair from “The Voice”) further enhanced the fan experience across more than 170,000 square feet.
The Heart of CMA Fest: Music Education and Giving Back
At its core, CMA Fest is a philanthropic endeavor, with all proceeds directly benefiting the CMA Foundation’s mission to strengthen music education programs. This year’s more than $2 million gift is a testament to the power of the Country Music community.
The festival vibrated with the energy of student performers from across the country. Marching bands brought spirit daily, culminating in The Roots of Music’s Marching Crusaders making history as the first student marching band to perform inside Nissan Stadium. The CMA Foundation’s Student Mission Moments, presented by Music Has Value, spotlighted young talent from Ravenwood High School, Nashville School of the Arts, and Percy Priest Elementary School House Band, among others. The Backstage Academy, presented by EqualizeHer, offered five young women hands-on experience in live music production, fostering the next generation of female industry leaders.
Fans also had numerous meaningful opportunities to contribute. Carly Pearce’s “Carly’s Closet” returned, offering items from her personal wardrobe for sale with proceeds benefiting music education. Exclusive CMA Fest merchandise, including custom posters and guitar string bracelets, also contributed to the CMA Foundation’s mission. The Archives and The Backstage Auction provided additional avenues for giving back, as did high-energy, donation-based workouts from Fitness at Fest.
Beyond music education, our dear friends from Musically Fed demonstrated the industry’s commitment to fighting hunger, distributing excess food from CMA Fest catering to local Nashville shelters and charities.
Looking Ahead to CMA Fest 2026
The memories of CMA Fest 2025 will live on! Fans can relive the festival’s biggest moments when Cody Johnson and Ashley McBryde host the three-hour primetime television special, “CMA Fest presented by SoFi,” streaming on Hulu.
And mark your calendars: the 53rd CMA Fest presented by SoFi will take place in Nashville from Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, 2026. Tickets are already available for purchase at Ticketmaster. Be sure to sign up for CMA’s Country Connection emails and visit CMAfest.com for presale information and future updates.
CMA Fest 2025 was more than a festival; it was a testament to Country Music’s enduring power to connect, entertain, and inspire a lasting impact for generations to come.
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