"CMA Fest" returns for 2026 with four days of the very best country music down in Nashville, Tennessee. You'll be able to see the likes of Luke Bryan, Lainey Wilson, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban and Tim McGraw on stage during the latest edition of the longest-running country music festival in the world.
Here's how to watch "CMA Fest" 2026 online and from anywhere with a VPN.
You can watch "CMA Fest" on ABC in the U.S. on Thursday, June 25. You can also catch the show for free on CTV in Canada.
• FREE — Watch on CTV (Canada)
• U.S. — ABC via YouTube TV / Hulu (next day)
• U.K. — BBC iPlayer
• Australia — Stan
• Watch anywhere — with NordVPN
Taking in venues from Fort Nashborough and Walk of Fame Park to Bridgestone Arena Plaza and Music City Center, some of the world's biggest country music stars will perform for adoring crowds this summer in Nashville.
While the event actually took place across the weekend of June 4 to June 7, 2026, viewers at home have had to wait to see the show on the small screen but it's finally here.
"CMA Fest" has been running for 55 years now, dating back to 1972, and it's a must-watch for anyone who is into country music, cowboys, and Western vibes.
Read on for everything you need to know about how to watch "CMA Fest" 2026 online from anywhere and potentially for free.
How to watch 'CMA Fest' 2026 for FREE
Viewers in Canada can catch the action from "CMA Fest" 2026 on the free-to-air CTV network. You can also watch CTV on-demand on the Crave app.
The only catch is you'll have to wait for the show to air in the U.S. first before it lands north of the border.
How to watch 'CMA Fest' 2026 from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "CMA Fest" on your usual subscription or streaming service?
You can still watch the show thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network which makes your device appear to be in another country. Our favorite is NordVPN. It's the best on the market:
How to watch 'CMA Fest' 2026 in the U.S.
American fans can catch "CMA Fest" 2026 on ABC on Thursday, June 25 at 8 p.m. ET. It is also available to stream on Hulu the following day.
Don't have cable? ABC is available to stream via YouTube TV and you can get a free trial of that service. Sling TVand Fubo are other cord-cutting options.
Abroad? NordVPN can unlock your stream of "CMA Fest" 2026.
Can you watch 'CMA Fest' 2026 in the UK?
In previous years, "CMA Fest" coverage has been available in the U.K. across the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds platforms. This is yet to be confirmed for 2026, however.
How to watch 'CMA Fest' 2026 in Australia
"CMA Fest" will be available on Stan in Australia. As in other territories, you'll have to wait for it to play in the U.S. first.
If you're just visiting Oz, you can can gain access to your usual streaming services with NordVPN.
'CMA Fest' 2026 - Need to Know
Who's performing?
- Jason Aldean
- Luke Bryan
- Keith Urban
- Tim McGraw
- Lainey Wilson
- Riley Green
- HARDY
- Carly Pearce
- The Red Clay Strays
- Kelly Sutton
- Amber Anderson
- Melissa Etheridge
- Gretchen Wilson
- Russell Dickerson
- Ella Langley
- Tucker Wetmore
- Waka Flocka
- Tyler Rich
- RaeLynn
- Dasha
- Shaboozey
You can find the full line-up here.
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