2025 CMA Awards: Complete List of Performers and Presenters

When and where are the 2025 CMA Awards?

The 59th Annual CMA Awards — “Country Music’s Biggest Night” — will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, broadcasting live from 8–11 p.m. ET on ABC, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.

• Host: Lainey Wilson returns to host the show solo for the second year in a row.

• Backstage coverage: Lauren Alaina and HaleyyBaylee will co-host CMA Awards Backstage Live on TikTok, taking fans behind the scenes during the show.

The night will also honour Vince Gill with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrated with a tribute performance during the telecast.

Full list of 2025 CMA Awards performers

The official CMA site confirms a packed performance lineup with a mix of solo sets and special collaborations.

Special collaborations

• BigXthaPlug feat. Luke Combs

• Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton

• Shaboozey and Stephen Wilson Jr. 

Solo and band performances

• Kelsea Ballerini – set to debut her new song “I Sit in Parks” on the CMA stage.

• Brandi Carlile

• Kenny Chesney – his performance will mark and celebrate his 2025 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Luke Combs

• Riley Green – performing “Worst Way.” 

• Ella Langley – performing “Choosin’ Texas.” 

• Little Big Town

• Patty Loveless

• Megan Moroney – performing “6 Months Later.” 

• Old Dominion – delivering a career-spanning medley.

• The Red Clay Strays – performing “People Hatin’.” 

• Chris Stapleton – performing “Bad as I Used to Be”, and also duetting with Miranda Lambert on “A Song to Sing.” 

• Zach Top

• Keith Urban

• Tucker Wetmore

• Lainey Wilson – performing in addition to hosting.

• Stephen Wilson Jr. (also part of a special collab with Shaboozey)

Between the solo slots and collaborations, the telecast is expected to feature around 20 performances across the three-hour broadcast.

Full list of 2025 CMA Awards presenters & special guests

Alongside the performers, the Country Music Association has confirmed a star-heavy presenter list that mixes country staples, Hollywood actors and TV personalities.

According to the official CMA performers & presenters page, the 2025 CMA Awards presenters and special guests include:

• Alison Brown

• Jessica Capshaw

• Billy Ray Cyrus

• Lauren Daigle

• Jordan Davis

• Elizabeth Hurley

• Cody Johnson

• Bert Kreischer

• Lady A

• Brandon Lake

• Ella Langley (appearing as both performer and presenter)

• Steve Martin

• Leanne Morgan

• NE-YO

• Chris O’Donnell

• Kimberly Perry

• LeAnn Rimes

• Alan Ritchson

• Lara Spencer

• Billy Bob Thornton

• Grace Van Patten

• Gretchen Wilson

• Bailey Zimmerman

People’s report highlights Billy Ray Cyrus and Elizabeth Hurley among the most headline-grabby presenters, with Keith Urban noted as a late addition to the performer lineup.

Why this year’s CMA lineup matters

For country fans — and for anyone covering music for Niche Magazine UK — the 2025 CMA Awards lineup tells a clear story:

• Generations on one stage:The bill stretches from legends like Kenny Chesney, Patty Loveless and Little Big Town to newer names such as Zach Top, The Red Clay Strays, Tucker Wetmore and Ella Langley.

• Big moments built into performances:

  • Chesney’s set doubles as a Hall of Fame milestone moment.

  • Kelsea Ballerini is using the CMAs to debut brand-new material.

  • Vince Gill’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award tribute adds an emotional anchor to the night.

• Cross-genre and cross-media appeal:Presenters like Steve Martin, NE-YO, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Capshaw, Alan Ritchson and Elizabeth Hurley bring in film, comedy and R&B audiences, widening the show’s reach beyond core country fans.

• A host who’s also the face of the format right now:With Lainey Wilson both hosting and performing, and Megan Moroney and Ella Langley leading nominations, the 2025 CMAs are very much centred on country’s current wave of stars, not just its heritage names.