Nashville Gears Up for Star-Studded 52nd CMA Fest This June

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Country music enthusiasts are set for a memorable experience as the 52nd CMA Fest unveils its star-studded lineup, featuring the genre’s biggest names and emerging talents. The four-day festival will run from June 5-8 in Nashville‘s Lower Broadway district, showcasing artists behind over 200 number one country radio singles from the past quarter century.

Among the headliners at Nissan Stadium, one of the festival’s main venues, are Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, and Darius Rucker. The excitement surrounding these nighttime stadium concerts forms the core of the festival, which also spans various locations throughout downtown Nashville, including riverfront stages and honky-tonks.

The stadium performances are seen as defining moments for artists across all stages of their careers. Veteran acts like Brooks & Dunn and Blake Shelton will celebrate decades of hits, while newer artists such as Bailey Zimmerman and Ella Langley view their stadium slots as significant career milestones. Additionally, further performers are anticipated to join the lineup in coming weeks.

The Chevy Riverfront Stage, located on the banks of the Cumberland River, is known for showcasing musical talent at pivotal career moments. As a free venue, it has hosted many artists who later performed at the main stadium stage in subsequent years. The 2025 lineup at this stage includes Gabby Barrett, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, Jackson Dean, Marcus King, Brandon Lake, Chris Lane, Maddie & Tae, and Megan Moroney.

Smaller acts poised to make their mark at the Riverfront Stage include Tanner Adell, Cooper Alan, Tyler Braden, and RaeLynn, among others. MŌRIAH will perform the national anthem to kick off activities at this popular venue on Thursday morning.

Across the festival, multiple stages around downtown Nashville will provide an immersive experience. The Dr. Pepper Amp Stage at Ascend Park features a diverse lineup spanning various eras of country music, including Rodney Atkins, Billy Dean, and Jerrod Niemann. Additionally, the Chevy Vibes Stage at Walk of Fame Park boasts performances from Mickey Guyton, Tiera Kennedy, and Pam Tillis.

For fans seeking alternative sounds, smaller stages like the Good Molecules Reverb Stage at Bridgestone Plaza and the Hard Rock Stage in front of Broadway’s Hard Rock Cafe will host daytime and nighttime performances. The latter stage will feature emerging artists such as Giovannie and The Hired Guns and Trey Lewis.

Ticketing options for CMA Fest cater to various audiences, with four-night stadium passes providing access to all main concerts. Single-night stadium tickets will become available on March 28, priced starting at $79.80. Additional paid experiences include exclusive access to the Riverside Retreat VIP package, offering amenities like shaded areas and early entry to the Chevy Riverfront Stage.

The festival also emphasizes its commitment to accessibility. Numerous free outdoor stages offer performances open to the public, creating opportunities to see both emerging talent and established stars without needing a ticket. Despite ongoing construction at Nissan Stadium resulting in limited parking, festival organizers suggest attendees utilize alternative transportation methods.

Maintaining its charitable spirit, all participating artists perform without payment, with a portion of ticket proceeds benefiting the CMA Foundation. This organization supports music education programs across the United States, a hallmark of the festival since its inception in 1972.

The CMA Fest attracts fans from all fifty states and nearly fifty countries. More than 90,000 visitors attended in 2024, a figure expected to be matched or exceeded this year. Additionally, the festival will be filmed for a national television special, set to air on ABC and stream on Hulu later in the summer. As CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern stated, the festival celebrates community and collaboration, showcasing the rich tapestry of country music’s past, present, and future.