The Country Music Association have set the first batch of performers for the upcoming 2026 CMA Awards, and the line-up is already full of the night’s top nominees.
From the potential coronation of Ella Langley‘s “Choosin’ Texas” to the return of Taylor Swift to the world country music awards, the CMAs are looking like they could be a potentially massive night for the genre.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 CMA Awards.
The Performers
The first announcement of musical entertainment for the night features some of this year’s top nominees. The list includes Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore.
And while there has been word that Taylor Swift will be attending the ceremony in support of her nomination for Single of the Year with “I Knew it, I Knew You,” there’s still no official statement on whether she’ll perform.
The Tribute
Outside of handing out awards and the musical performances we know about so far, the night will take time to acknowledge the massive loss suffer by not just the country world, but music at large, with a tribute to Dolly Parton, who passed away on Aug. 25.
The Nominees
Surprising no one who has glimpsed at the Hot 100 in the last year or so, Langley is the top nominee off of the strength of “Choosin’ Texas.” The Billboard charter record holder earned the most nominations for the night with nine — two more than her closest competition. Other top nominees include Musgraves, Ben West, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Stephen Wilson Jr.
How to Watch
The 2026 CMA Awards will stream live on ABC and Disney+ on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and on Hulu the next day.
