CMA Fest 2027 Transportation Guide: Shuttles, Parking, Uber and Walking
How to get around downtown Nashville and travel to the new Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest 2027.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: May 31 2026
Last Updated: August 30, 2026
CMA Fest brings nearly 100,000 country music fans to downtown Nashville every day, which means getting around town takes a little more planning than usual. Between road closures, packed sidewalks, rideshare surge pricing, shuttle lines, and everyone leaving Nissan Stadium at the same time, transportation can quickly become one of the biggest headaches of the week.
The good news? If you know what to expect before you arrive, you can save yourself a lot of stress.
Whether you plan to use Uber, Lyft, the CMA Fest shuttle, public parking, or your own two feet, here’s what to know about getting around CMA Fest in downtown Nashville.
CMA Fest 2027 Transportation Quick Details
CMA Fest Dates: June 10–13, 2027
Nissan Stadium: CMA Fest moves to the new Nissan Stadium in 2027
CMA Fest Shuttle: 2027 shuttle details have not yet been confirmed
Shuttle Stops: To be announced for 2027
Shuttle Hours: To be announced for 2027
Parking: 2027 event-specific parking details have not yet been released
Uber and Lyft: Available in Nashville; CMA Fest-specific pickup and drop-off locations will be updated closer to the festival
Walking: Downtown stages are generally walkable, but official 2027 routes to the new Nissan Stadium should be checked before the festival
Public Transit: WeGo service is available in Nashville; special CMA Fest 2027 service has not yet been announced
Will There Be a CMA Fest Shuttle in 2027?
CMA Fest traditionally offers shuttle service to help fans travel between downtown Nashville and Nissan Stadium. However, specific shuttle hours, pickup locations, and accessibility information for CMA Fest 2027 have not yet been confirmed.
This will be especially important to watch for 2027 because CMA Fest is moving into the new Nissan Stadium for the first time.
I'll update this guide when CMA releases the official 2027 transportation map and shuttle information.
How the CMA Fest Shuttle Worked in 2026
For reference, the general public CMA Fest shuttle in 2026 began running two hours before Nissan Stadium doors opened and continued until 1:00 AM each day.
Pickup and drop-off locations included:
6th Avenue between Korean Veterans Boulevard and Demonbreun
Commerce Street at Rep. John Lewis Way
Woodland Street at 1st Street
An ADA shuttle also served the festival footprint.
These were the 2026 locations and hours and should not be assumed to be the same for CMA Fest 2027.
Getting to the New Nissan Stadium During CMA Fest 2027
CMA Fest 2027 will mark the festival's first year at the new Nissan Stadium, which means fans should not automatically rely on transportation routes, parking locations, rideshare zones, or shuttle stops used during previous CMA Fests.
The new stadium will host the nightly CMA Fest concerts June 10–13, 2027. Official entrance times are still to be announced.
Transportation plans are likely to become clearer closer to the festival, including road closures, pedestrian routes, rideshare areas, parking, and CMA Fest shuttle stops. Check your route before leaving downtown each evening rather than relying on information from previous years.
Using Uber and Lyft During CMA Fest
Uber and Lyft can be helpful during CMA Fest, but they are not always as simple as opening the app and getting picked up wherever you are standing.
During the festival, rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are typically limited to designated locations around downtown. That means you may not be able to request a ride directly in front of a Broadway bar, restaurant, or venue.
For example, if you are at Ole Red, Whiskey Row, or another busy spot on Broadway, you should expect to walk to a designated rideshare area before your driver can pick you up.
Look for official signage throughout the festival footprint and check the CMA Fest app or map for updated transportation information.
Rideshare prices can jump dramatically during CMA Fest, especially at peak times.
The most expensive times will likely be:
After the nightly Nissan Stadium concerts
Late at night when Broadway is crowded
During rain or severe weather
Around major artist performances
When thousands of people are leaving downtown at once
A ride that might normally cost $25 or $30 could cost much more during surge pricing. In some cases, a 40-minute ride could climb close to $100 depending on demand, distance, and availability.
If you are relying on Uber or Lyft, build extra room into your budget and have a backup plan.
Can You Walk From Downtown Nashville to the New Nissan Stadium?
Walking from downtown Nashville to the new Nissan Stadium may be one of the easiest ways to reach the nightly CMA Fest concerts, especially for fans already spending the day at the downtown stages.
The stadium is located across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville. Pedestrian routes to the stadium area include the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Woodland Street Bridge, and Korean Veterans Boulevard Bridge.
However, CMA Fest 2027 will be the first festival held at the new Nissan Stadium, so fans should not assume that pedestrian routes, entrances, or road closures will work exactly the same way they did in previous years.
Official CMA Fest 2027 walking routes and stadium access information have not yet been released. Check the current CMA Fest transportation map before heading to the stadium each evening, particularly because temporary street closures and crowd-control measures could affect which routes are available.
Also remember that the walk back downtown happens after a long day at the festival. Comfortable shoes are essential, and leaving the stadium with thousands of other fans can add considerably more time than the distance alone might suggest.
Parking During CMA Fest 2027
Parking in downtown Nashville can be challenging during CMA Fest, especially as thousands of fans travel between the daytime stages and the nightly concerts at the new Nissan Stadium.
Official CMA Fest 2027 parking information has not yet been released. Because 2027 will be the first CMA Fest held at the new Nissan Stadium, fans should not assume that stadium parking lots, traffic patterns, entrances, or road closures will be the same as in previous years.
If you plan to drive, consider reserving parking in advance when possible. Downtown garages and lots can fill quickly, and prices may increase during major events. Parking farther from the busiest festival areas and walking the remaining distance can sometimes be easier than trying to park close to Broadway or the stadium.
Fans attending the Nissan Stadium concerts should also check the official CMA Fest and Nissan Stadium transportation information before heading downtown. Temporary road closures, restricted streets, and designated parking areas may affect where you can drive and park during CMA Fest weekend.
If you are staying at a downtown hotel, leaving your vehicle parked and using the CMA Fest shuttle, walking, or another transportation option may be more convenient than moving your car throughout the day.
WeGo Public Transportation During CMA Fest
WeGo Public Transit can be another option for getting around Nashville during CMA Fest, particularly for fans staying outside the immediate downtown area who want to avoid driving and parking near the festival.
CMA currently recommends WeGo as a public transportation option for CMA Fest and directs fans to use the transit system to plan their route into downtown Nashville.
Specific CMA Fest 2027 service changes, extended hours, or special routes have not yet been announced. Fans should check WeGo schedules closer to the festival because regular routes and stops may be affected by downtown street closures and other CMA Fest traffic restrictions.
In previous years, WeGo has also offered special transportation for CMA Fest. In 2026, a special WeGo Star train operated from Lebanon to downtown Nashville for one of the Nissan Stadium concert nights, with stops in Hamilton Springs, Martha, Mt. Juliet, Hermitage, and Donelson before arriving at Riverfront Station.
A similar special-event train has not been confirmed for CMA Fest 2027, so do not rely on previous schedules when making your plans. Any special CMA Fest service should be confirmed with WeGo before purchasing tickets or choosing where to stay.
Start With Your Hotel Transportation Options
Before you make a full transportation plan, check with your hotel.
Many Nashville-area hotels offer shuttle service during CMA Fest, especially if they know a large number of guests are attending the festival. Some shuttles may run at set times throughout the day, while others may offer transportation before and after the nightly Nissan Stadium shows.
If your hotel offers a shuttle, ask:
Where does the shuttle pick up and drop off?
What time does it start running?
Does it run after the Nissan Stadium shows?
Is there a fee?
Do you need to reserve a spot?
What happens if the shuttle is full?
Even if your hotel advertises that it is “10 minutes from Broadway” or “10 minutes from Nissan Stadium,” remember that usually means by car with normal traffic. During CMA Fest, that same distance could mean a very long walk, a delayed rideshare, or a much longer trip through traffic.
Unless you are staying in the heart of downtown Nashville, do not assume you can easily walk everywhere.
Leaving Nissan Stadium After the Concert
Leaving Nissan Stadium is one of the most important parts of your CMA Fest transportation plan.
After the nightly concerts, everyone is trying to leave at once. That can mean long walks, crowded sidewalks, busy bridges, rideshare delays, surge pricing, heavy traffic, and longer waits for late-night food delivery.
Before the show starts, decide how you plan to get back. Know whether you are walking, using the CMA Fest shuttle, meeting a rideshare, or heading to a specific pickup spot.
Do not wait until you are tired, hungry, and standing in a crowd outside the stadium to figure it out.
If you are with a group, choose a meeting spot in advance in case you get separated. Cell service can get spotty when thousands of people are using their phones at the same time, so do not rely only on texting after the show.
Flying Into Nashville for CMA Fest 2027
Fans flying into Nashville for CMA Fest 2027 should allow extra time at Nashville International Airport.
BNA's Central Core Enhancement project is scheduled to remain under construction through December 2027, meaning the project is expected to still be underway during CMA Fest in June.
Airport traffic is already heavy during CMA Fest week, so give yourself additional time for arrival, departure, baggage claim, rideshare pickup, and travel between BNA and downtown Nashville.
Are the CMA Fest Daytime Stages Walkable?
Yes. Most of the CMA Fest daytime stages and activities are concentrated in downtown Nashville and can be reached on foot, making walking one of the easiest ways to move between performances during the day.
However, the festival footprint covers several blocks, so you can easily walk several miles over the course of a day. Allow extra time when moving between stages, especially during busy periods when sidewalks and intersections become crowded.
Comfortable, broken-in shoes are one of the most important things to bring to CMA Fest. Nashville is also hot and humid in June, so take breaks, stay hydrated, and avoid scheduling performances so closely together that you have to rush from one end of the festival area to another.
Keep in mind that the nightly Nissan Stadium concerts require additional travel from the downtown daytime stages. CMA Fest 2027 will be the first year at the new Nissan Stadium, so check the official festival map and transportation information once 2027 pedestrian routes and entrances are confirmed.
Walking To and From Nissan Stadium
Many CMA Fest attendees walk to Nissan Stadium for the nightly concerts. Pedestrians may use the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Woodland Street Bridge, or Korean Veterans Boulevard Bridge.
Walking across the bridge can be a memorable part of the CMA Fest experience, especially with the downtown Nashville skyline views. However, walking back after the show is a very different experience than walking over before the concert begins.
When 60,000-plus fans are leaving Nissan Stadium at the same time, the pedestrian areas can become extremely congested. The bridge and sidewalks may be packed shoulder-to-shoulder, and it can take longer than expected to get back downtown.
If large crowds make you uncomfortable, or if you are traveling with kids, older adults, or anyone with mobility concerns, the CMA Fest shuttle may be a better option than walking back after the show.
If you do plan to walk, decide your route before the concert starts. Take your time, stay aware of your surroundings, and do not stop in the flow of foot traffic for photos.
Have a Transportation Backup Plan
The biggest CMA Fest transportation tip is simple: do not rely on just one option.
Your rideshare could be too expensive. Your phone battery could die. Your hotel shuttle could fill up. The bridge could be too crowded. Your group could get separated. The restaurant you planned to order from could be closed.
Before you head downtown each day, know:
How you are getting there
How you are getting back
Where your rideshare pickup area is
Where the nearest shuttle stop is
Where your group will meet if you get separated
Whether your hotel has a shuttle
What you will eat after the show
What you will do if your first plan falls through
CMA Fest is much more enjoyable when you are not making every decision in the middle of a crowd.
Final Tips for Getting Around CMA Fest
After a long night at Nissan Stadium, it may sound easy to get back to your hotel and order pizza, Uber Eats, or DoorDash.
During CMA Fest, it is not always that simple.
Many restaurants may already be closed by the time the stadium show ends. Others may be overwhelmed with orders. Add in road closures, rideshare traffic, packed sidewalks, and thousands of hungry fans, and late-night food delivery can take a very long time.
In some cases, you could be waiting hours.
The better plan is to keep easy food in your hotel room. Think snacks, microwave meals, leftovers, protein bars, crackers, bottled water, or anything simple you can eat when you get back.
“Let’s just order food later” sounds easy until everyone in downtown Nashville has the same idea.
Getting around CMA Fest takes patience, comfortable shoes, and a little planning. Use the official CMA Fest transportation maps, check your hotel shuttle options, consider the CMA Fest shuttle for Nissan Stadium, and expect rideshare delays and surge pricing.
Most importantly, give yourself extra time.
Downtown Nashville will be packed, but with a realistic plan, you can spend less time stressing about transportation and more time enjoying the music.
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