2026 CMA Awards: Date, Time, Channel and How to Watch
The 60th CMA Awards return to Nashville this November.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published on April 29, 2026
Last Updated: September 5, 2026
The CMA Awards are returning to Nashville this November for a milestone year. The 60th Annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, November 18, 2026, live from Bridgestone Arena, with Lainey Wilson returning as host.
Wilson will host the CMA Awards for the third consecutive year and for the second year in a row as the show’s solo host. The ceremony will air live on ABC and stream simultaneously on Disney+.
The 2026 CMA Awards nominees will be announced Thursday, September 10. This guide will continue to be updated as CMA announces the nominees, performers, presenters, ticket details, and winners.
2026 CMA Awards Quick Details
Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ABC
Live Streaming: Disney+
Next-Day Streaming: Hulu
Location: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
Host: Lainey Wilson
Nominees: To be announced September 10
Performers: To be announced
When Are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 2026 CMA Awards will air Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2026.
What Time Are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 2026 CMA Awards begin at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, November 18.
How to Watch the 2026 CMA Awards
The 2026 CMA Awards will air live on ABC.
For the first time, the CMA Awards will also stream live on Disney+. The Disney+ livestream begins with The 60th Annual CMA Awards as part of CMA and Disney’s extended agreement, which keeps the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas with Disney through 2032.
The show will also be available to stream the next day on Hulu.
What Channel Are the 2026 CMA Awards On?
The 2026 CMA Awards will air live on ABC on Wednesday, November 18, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Viewers will also be able to stream the awards live on Disney+, with the show available to stream on Hulu the following day.
Who Is Hosting the 2026 CMA Awards?
Lainey Wilson will host the 2026 CMA Awards, returning for her third consecutive year as part of the show’s hosting lineup and her second consecutive year as solo host.
Wilson first co-hosted the CMA Awards in 2024 with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning before taking over as the solo host in 2025. She will return alone for the 60th Annual CMA Awards on November 18.
See our complete CMA Awards host history for more about Wilson’s return and every CMA Awards host since 1967.
Who Is Nominated for the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 2026 CMA Awards nominees will be announced Thursday, September 10, 2026. The first nominations will be revealed on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” followed by additional categories announced during a livestream on the CMA’s official YouTube channel.
See our complete 2026 CMA Awards nominees guide for announcement details and the full list of nominees as they are revealed.
Who Is Performing at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Performers for the 2026 CMA Awards have not been announced yet.
CMA typically reveals performers closer to the show date, and this section will be updated as artists are confirmed.
Who Is Presenting at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Presenters for the 2026 CMA Awards have not been announced yet.
This section will be updated when CMA releases the presenter lineup.
2026 CMA Awards Eligibility Period
The eligibility period for the 2026 CMA Awards is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026.
The CMA Awards honor artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, mix engineers and music video directors across 12 categories.
How CMA Awards Voting Works
The CMA Awards are voted on by eligible CMA Professional voting members through three rounds of voting.
During the first round, voters write in the artists or projects they believe should be nominated. If the submission fits the category criteria, it counts.
In the second round, the top 20 vote-getters from the first round move forward in most categories. For Entertainer of the Year, the top 15 vote-getters move forward. Members may vote for up to five candidates in each category.
In the final round, the top five from the second ballot become the official nominees. Members then vote for one nominee in each category to determine the winners.
2026 CMA Awards Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 CMA Awards go on sale to the public Friday, September 18, at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET.
The 60th Annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, November 18, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Fans can find official ticket information through the CMA Awards website.
Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster will be delivered as mobile tickets.
Check Back for Updates
More details about the 2026 CMA Awards will be announced in the months ahead, including nominees, performers, presenters, host, ticket information and special moments planned for the 60th annual show.
This guide will be updated as new CMA Awards details are confirmed.
CMA Awards FAQ
What Time Are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The 2026 CMA Awards begin at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on Wednesday, November 18. The 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
What Channel Are the 2026 CMA Awards On?
The 2026 CMA Awards will air live on ABC. Viewers can tune in Wednesday, November 18, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
Can You Stream the 2026 CMA Awards Live?
Yes. The 2026 CMA Awards will stream live on Disney+ at the same time the ceremony airs on ABC. The show will also be available to stream on Hulu the following day.
More CMA Awards Guides
Every CMA Album of the Year Winner
Explore the albums that have taken home one of the CMA Awards’ top honors.
Every CMA Music Video of the Year Winner and Nominee
See the full history of CMA Music Video of the Year winners and nominees.
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