The Country Music Association wrapped its 52nd Annual CMA Fest yesterday (June 8), bringing in an estimated 95,000 fans from all 50 states and 33 countries to the heart of Music City. The weekend featured over 300 performances across four days and over 100 CMA Fest debuts. The festival raised over $2 million dollars to support music education through the CMA Foundation.

“What an incredible four days and nights. Even with a few weather interruptions, the energy and spirit of our fans never faded,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “From legendary acts to artists playing CMA Fest for the very first time, this year was a celebration of discovery, connection and community. And the fact that it all helps fund the CMA Foundation’s work in music education makes it even more impactful.”

From 2024 CMA New Artist of the Year Megan Moroney drawing a capacity crowd to kick off CMA Fest at the Chevy Riverfront Stage on Thursday morning, to surprise appearances at Nissan Stadium by Trace Adkins, BigXthaPlug, Jelly Roll, Noah Kahan, Brandon Lake, Travis Tritt and Lainey Wilson, to an updated “Fan Alley” activation and so much more. this year’s event delivered powerful memories at every turn.

During the day, fans explored multiple outdoor stages, Fan Fair X events and Ascend Amphitheater night shows. Click the link to see highlights from day-time events on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Over at Nissan Stadium, fans were treated to unique lineups on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with surprise guests and Platform Stage performances in addition the the scheduled lineups.

The television special, CMA Fest Presented by SoFi, will air June 26 at 7 p.m. central time on ABC hosted by Ashley McBryde and Cody Johnson.

Nissan Stadium filled up quickly as fans flooded in the stadium for the final night of CMA Fest.

Rodney Atkins kicked the night off with his hit “Take A Back Road” before moving into “Farmer’s Daughter” and “Caught Up In The Country.” Fans joined in a sing-along of “If You’re Going Through Hell,” before Atkins paused to tell the story of his four-year old son singing it at his preschool 20 years ago, and how that moment became the inspiration for the next song on the set, “Watching You.” His son, Elijah Atkins, who is now 23, surprised the crowd for a duet of the song, which they recently recorded together.

As the sun went down, fans jumped to their feet for breakout star Zach Top. Starting his set strong with “Sounds Like The Radio,” he moved into “Bad Luck” and paused to take a moment to acknowledge last year’s CMA Fest show, where he performed on the Platform Stage. He thanked fans for their support before moving into his ballad “Use Me.” Top stopped the show to share the news that his next single, “Good Times And Tan Lines,” would be released at midnight and gave fans an early preview of the song. He wrapped his set with the fan-favorites “I Never Lie” and “Cold Beer and Country Music.”

Fans then directed their attention to the Platform Stage, where powerhouse vocalist Avery Anna broke into her hit ballad “Narcissist.” She moved into “Indigo,” Anna’s duet with Sam Barber, sharing the news that the song is officially top 40 at country radio. She was brought to tears of gratitude as fans lit up Nissan Stadium with phone flashlights for the last chorus of the emotional song.

Back on the big screen, CMA Fest host Ashley McBryde introduced The Roots of Music, a marching band from New Orleans, who played on-screen as McBryde made her way to stage. Her energetic set started with “Rattlesnake Preacher,” before she moved into “Made For This,” “One Night Standards” and a cover of Don Henley’s “The Boys of Summer.”

“Theres nothing in this world like country music, and there’s nothing in this world like country music fans,” shared McBryde.

She closed out her set with “The Devil I Know,” “Ain’t Enough Water In The River” and “Tired Of Being Happy.” Before she left the stage, McBryde reintroduced The Roots of Music, bringing them on stage to entertain the audience between sets.

Attention was then directed back to the Platform Stage for performances of “Pour Me Out” and “After Me?” from Kashus Culpepper.

The energy in the stadium exploded as Bailey Zimmerman took the stage with “Religiously.” During the next song, “Backup Plan,” Zimmerman surprised the audience with Josh Ross, before moving into his newest single “Comin’ In Cold.” Zimmerman had one more surprise in store for the crowd, bringing out BigXthaPlug for “All The Way.”

“Y’all have no idea what it means for us to have the chance to come back for the second year in a row and play our songs,” Zimmerman said, before wrapping the set with “Rock and A Hard Place,” as fans once again lit up the stadium with flashlights.

Back on the Platform Stage for the last time of the night, Tucker Wetmore emerged with “Wine Into Whiskey.” As he looked into the crowd, Wetmore shared that two years ago, he sat in the CMA Fest stands dreaming of being on the Nissan stage. “And, we’re doing it tonight,” he added, moving into his No. 1 single “Wind Up Missing You.”

As the main stage was being reset, the attendees on the floor began to cheer as surprise guest Dylan Scott moved through the crowd, performing “Country Til I Die.”

On the main stage once again, Dierks Bentley was on deck, kicking off with “Burning Man.” He followed that with “Gone,” “She Hates Me” and a sing-along of his hit “Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go).” Bentley invited Top back to the stage for a cover of “Mountain Music.” He wrapped his set with “What Was I Thinking” and “Drunk On A Plane,” all while entertaining the stadium crowd with his wit.

Just before midnight, Luke Bryan took the stage to close out the festival. He quickly had fans in the palm of his hand, screaming along to “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “Kick The Dust Up,” “What Makes You Country” and “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Every Day.” Bryan moved into “Love You, Miss You, Mean It,” followed by his latest single, “Country Song Came On.” He sat at the piano, bringing a stripped back version of “Strip It Down,” before kicking the energy back up with “Knockin’ Boots.” Every fan in the stands rose to their feet for “That’s My Kind Of Night.”

Bryan kept the energy high as the night came to a close with the whole crowd, including two fans he invited onto the stage, dancing along to “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”

Once Bryan left the stage, CMA Fest 2025 was in the books. The festival will return to downtown Nashville next year, with dates set for June 4-7, 2026.