CMA Awards 2026: Date, Time, and How to Watch

The CMA Awards 2026 are on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It's the 60th annual show, and it airs live on ABC at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET. Ella Langley leads with 9 nominations. Here's the time, how to watch, and what we know about the performers.

What Time Are the CMA Awards 2026?

Here's the quick version:

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET
Place: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
Watch live: ABC, or stream on Disney+
Replay: on Hulu the next day

How to Watch the CMA Awards Live on ABC and Disney+

The easiest way is ABC. If you don't have a TV or cable, the show also streams live on Disney+ at the same time.

Missed it? The full ceremony lands on Hulu the next day.

(More: our guide to how to watch the VMAs 2026.)

Is Lainey Wilson Hosting the CMA Awards 2026?

Yes. Lainey Wilson is back as host for the third year in a row.

Who Has the Most CMA Awards 2026 Nominations?

Ella Langley does, with 9 nominations. That includes Entertainer of the Year, the night's top prize.

(More: our report on Ella Langley's cancelled Tulsa concert.)

The nominations were announced on September 10, 2026. Here's who else is near the top:

Ella Langley: 9 nominations
Miranda Lambert: 7 nominations
Kacey Musgraves: 5 nominations
Ben West: 5 nominations
Cody Johnson: 4 nominations

Langley is 2 ahead of Lambert. Final voting closed on October 27 at 6 p.m. CT, so the votes are in.

Who Is Performing at the CMA Awards 2026?

We don't know yet. As of the latest reports, a DIRECTV guide dated October 22, the CMA hasn't announced any 2026 performers or presenters.

Be careful with lineups you see online. Some are from last year's show.

The 59th CMA Awards on November 19, 2025 featured Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Old Dominion, Kenny Chesney and Ella Langley. That is not the 2026 lineup. Treat any list that mixes the two as wrong.

While you wait, play the nominees' songs in the free VibeSynced visualizer.