All The Details You Need To Know About The 2025 CMA Awards
on Oct 01, 2025
When Are The 2025 CMA Awards?
Details continue to pour in about the 2025 CMA Awards—and we compiled them all in one place to answer every question you may have about “Country Music’s Biggest Night.”
For starters, when are the CMA Awards? This year’s ceremony will air on Wednesday, November 19.
When choosing a date for the event, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said they picked a later-than-usual date in November to avoid conflicts with the World Series. The ceremony also aired on a late November date in 2024 due to the U.S. presidential election.
Trahern told Billboard:
“Also, ABC used to have another award show in that space where they no longer have it. So, getting through all of the end-of-the-season shows that tend to finale in November gave us a little bit of a window right before Thanksgiving. It was a good tune-in window, so we’re going to try it again.“
How Can You Watch The 2025 CMA Awards, And What Time Does The Show Air?
Details about the 2025 CMA Awards‘ broadcast time and viewing options have also been revealed.
The three-hour ceremony will start airing at 8/7c PM on ABC. Fans can stream the entire ceremony on Hulu the next day (November 20).
Where Is The Ceremony Being Held?
This year’s CMA Awards will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Bridgestone Arena serves as the home to the city’s NHL team, the Nashville Predators.
Country fans can attend the CMA Awards to watch the ceremony in person. Tickets are on sale now through the CMA’s official website (which leads to Ticketmaster).
Who’s Hosting The CMA Awards In 2025?
The reveal of the CMA Awards‘ host(s) is one of the biggest announcements made before the ceremony. On September 30, the CMA shared that 2023 Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson will be this year’s host.
Wilson previously co-hosted the 2024 CMA Awards with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. But she plans to run the show solo this year, making her the third female artist to serve as the ceremony’s sole host. Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire solo hosted in 1988 and 1991, respectively.
“I grew up watching the CMA Awards like it was the Super Bowl, so to be hosting for a second year is a true honor,” Wilson said in a press release. “I’m humbled that CMA has trusted me with this role, and I can’t wait to love on this genre that has given me so much.“
@countrymusicassociation The bell-bottom queen is ready, are y'all? ✨ @Lainey Wilson returns to host "The 59th Annual #CMAawards" LIVE November 19 on @ABC and stream next day on @hulu ♬ original sound – Country Music Association
Who Are The Nominees?
Details about the 2025 CMA Awards nominees were announced on September 8. Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, and Megan Moroney tied for the highest number of nods, with six each.
Zach Top followed close behind with five nominations. Cody Johnson and Riley Green both earned four. Browse the complete list of nominees here.
One fun fact to note…Blake Shelton secured his first CMA nomination in six years! He earned a nod in the Musical Event of the Year category for his “Pour Me a Drink” collaboration with Post Malone.
Shelton’s hit single, “Texas” received a nomination for Song of the Year. That award will go to songwriters Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, and Kyle Sturrock if it wins.
Several artists stand the chance to break records and make history if they win at this year’s ceremony—see who in this list.
Who’s Nominated For Entertainer Of The Year?
Five artists earned nods for Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 CMA Awards. Those artists are:
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Combs, Wallen, and Wilson won the award in the past. Chris Stapleton has been nominated, but never won. This is Cody Johnson’s first time earning a nod in the category!
Who’s Performing At The 2025 CMA Awards?
As of press time, the performers for the 2025 CMA Awards have not been named. In their September 30 press release, the CMA stated that performers and presenters “will be announced in the coming weeks.”
Since Wilson is hosting the ceremony, it seems safe to assume we can expect a performance from her. Revisit one of her past CMA Awards performances below!
Keep checking back for the most up-to-date information and need-to-know details about the 2025 CMA Awards.
