CMA Fest 2026 Airs Thursday on ABC with SoFi Sponsorship and Streaming on Hulu
The Country Music Association’s 54th annual CMA Fest will be televised Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC. The three‑hour special is hosted by country singer Riley Green and ABC’s Good Morning America anchor Lara Spencer. The broadcast is part of the CMA’s long‑running summer concert series that has aired on network television for 23 consecutive years.
The lineup for the televised event includes more than 40 artists who performed at the festival’s outdoor stages in downtown Nashville. Highlights announced by the CMA include Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, and Florida Georgia Line, who reunited for a performance after a 2022 hiatus. The program also features newer acts such as Bailey Zimmerman, The Band Perry, and Shaboozey, who performed a first‑time live rendition of his single “Cowgirl.” The full list of performers is available on the CMA website and includes artists such as Deana Carter, HARDY, Jason Aldean, and Tim McGraw.
SoFi Technologies, Inc. is the first‑ever broadcast presenting sponsor and official bank of CMA Fest 2026. According to the company’s press release, the partnership is designed to “inspire people to achieve financial independence through the power of music.” SoFi’s sponsorship includes on‑stage branding, a dedicated segment that highlighted Deana Carter’s performance, and a spotlight on Shaboozey’s new single. The partnership also offers SoFi Plus members exclusive access to premium fan experiences during the festival.
Viewers who do not have a cable subscription can watch the event live on Hulu the following day, June 26, 2026. The broadcast is also available through any streaming service that carries ABC, including DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, and Hulu + Live TV. The CMA website notes that the special will be free to stream on Hulu for the first 24 hours after the live broadcast, after which it will be available on demand.
The 2026 CMA Fest marks the 54th edition of the festival, which began in 1972 as Fan Fair and has grown to attract an estimated 95,000 daily attendees. Proceeds from the festival benefit the CMA Foundation’s music‑education programs. The next CMA Fest is scheduled to return to Nashville from Thursday, June 10, through Sunday, June 13, 2027. The CMA has confirmed that the 2027 festival will continue its tradition of four days of concerts, collaborations, and fan‑focused events.
In summary, CMA Fest 2026 will air on ABC on Thursday, June 25, with a host lineup that includes Riley Green and Lara Spencer. The event features a broad roster of country artists, a new SoFi sponsorship, and a streaming option on Hulu the day after the live broadcast. Fans can also access the program through other live‑TV streaming services. The festival’s next edition is set for June 2027, continuing the CMA’s legacy as the longest‑running country‑music festival in the world.
