Lainey Wilson Returns To Host “The 60th Annual CMA Awards”

LAINEY WILSON RETURNS TO HOST “THE 60TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS”

Wilson Joins ESPN’s “College GameDay”
Live from Louisiana State University to Reveal News
Country Music’s Biggest Night™ Celebrates Six Decades, Broadcasting Live From
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, November 18 at 8/7c on ABC, Disney+ and Next Day on Hulu
 
Nashville, TN - Sept 05, 2026/ Sept 11, 2026
 
CMA and ABC have revealed that 12-time CMA Award winner Lainey Wilson will return to host “The 60th Annual CMA Awards,” marking her third consecutive year in the role and second consecutive year as solo host. The announcement was made live on ESPN’s “College GameDay,” timed to the show’s own milestone 500th show on the road from Louisiana State University in Wilson’s home state. Wilson will lead the star-studded evening as the CMA Awards celebrate 60 years of shining a spotlight on the industry’s most outstanding talent and unforgettable moments. Country Music’s Biggest Night™ broadcasts live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 8/7c on ABC, Disney+ and will be available next day on Hulu.
 
Watch the on-air promo HERE (YouTube): 

 
“I couldn’t be more excited to be hosting the CMA Awards again this year, especially with it being the 60th anniversary,” said Wilson. “I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years, and this one’s going to be extra special. Can’t wait to see y’all in November!”

CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by over 7,000 Professional voting members of the Country Music Association, representing every sector of the industry. This peer-voted recognition holds unique significance, celebrating the creativity and dedication of those whose contributions continue to shape the genre and inspire fans around the world.

 
“The 60th Annual CMA Awards” is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton serves as Executive Producer, Alan Carter is Director, and Jon Macks is Head Writer.
 
Update: Lainey Wilson announced as opens for Harry Styles and host of this year's CMA Awards, receiving three nominations
 
·         Harry Styles announced (Sept 10) that Lainey will be the support act for his 2027 Toronto tour dates
·         Lainey received three CMA Award nominations (Sept 10) (Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year).
·         ‘Phone, Keys, Wallet’ is currently at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has racked up over 15 million Spotify streams to date, also currently celebrating its 5th week at #1 on the UK Country Radio Airplay Chart
·         Lainey will be performing at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on 26 September
 
ABOUT LAINEY WILSON:
“One of the hottest properties in country music” (The Guardian), Wilson hosted the 59th CMA Awards (the first solo female host since Reba McEntire in 1991) last Autumn, where she won three awards: Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Album of the Year (Whirlwind). She also released the deluxe version of her acclaimed album, Whirlwind, this past August, which features five additional tracks, including her UK and US #1 single, “Somewhere Over Laredo”. 
The Grand Ole Opry member is a prolific, sought-after songwriter, who has scored nine #1 hits including “4x4xU”, “Wildflowers And Wild Horses”, the 3x PLATINUM certified “Watermelon Moonshine” and the 4x PLATINUM Certified “Heart Like A Truck”, in addition to award-winning collaborations with Cole Swindell (“Never Say Never”), Jelly Roll (“Save Me”) and HARDY (“wait in the truck”).
Moreover, Wilson has collaborated with artists such as Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Dolly Parton and Post Malone, made her acting debut in Paramount’s hit television series, Yellowstone, and recently launched her fifth collection with Wrangler, as well as her own boot (Golden West Boots) and jewelry lines (The Lainey Wilson Jewelry Collection).

Connect with Lainey Wilson: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | X | FACEBOOK

The road to Country Music’s Biggest Night continues Thursday, Sept. 10, when CMA reveals the nominees for “The 60th Annual CMA Awards,” first on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” then via livestream on CMA’s official YouTube channel. Tickets for “The 60th Annual CMA Awards” go on sale Friday, Sept. 18 at CMAworld.com/tickets.