2026 CMA Awards Performers Added: Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson + More [UPDATE]

Country music fans can expect 15 performances from 21 artists at the 2026 CMA Awards. Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson and Luke Combs were added to the lineup on Tuesday (Nov. 10).

There will also be a celebration of Brooks & Dunn's career and a tribute to Dolly Parton.

• The 2026 CMA Awards air on ABC on Nov. 18 at 8PM ET.
• Lainey Wilson will host this year after co-hosting in 2025.
• Ella Langley has the most nominations, with nine.

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All five nominees for Entertainer of the Year will perform at this year's CMAs. Cody Johnson and Ella Langley were part of the initial lineup, and the other three (Wilson, Stapleton and Combs) were revealed on Tuesday.

The most exciting moment of the show could be centered on Brooks & Dunn.

Jason Kempin, Getty Images

Brooks & Dunn To Receive CMA Lifetime Achievement Award

In addition to an announcement of the new performers and performances is news of who will honor Brooks & Dunn when they receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are the 11th country act to receive the award first given to Nelson in 2012. It's not given out every year but 2026 will make the third straight year with a recipient (Vince Gill in 2025, George Strait in 2024).

Paying tribute to B&D will be Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, rock band Halestorm, Hardy and Marcus King.

2026 CMA Awards Performers:

Additional performers include Miranda Lambert, who is up for seven awards in 2026.

New Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Tim McGraw will also take the stage, as will Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Kacey Musgraves.

In 2025 there were 20 performances, including several cross-genre collaborations.

Historically, artist tributes have featured several singers moved by the honoree. There's no shortage of men and women who were touched by Parton's career and music, so that moment promises to be meaningful.

Here is a full list of 2026 CMA Awards performers, with collaborators and song information, if known.

Brooks & Dunn Tribute Featuring Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Halestorm, Hardy and Marcus King
Chris Stapleton with Mumford & Sons
Chris Stapleton with Stephen Wilson Jr.
Cody Johnson
Ella Langley
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson
Luke Combs
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
The Red Clay Strays
Tim McGraw
Tucker Wetmore
Vince Gill
Zach Top

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2026 CMA Awards - How To Watch

The 2026 CMA Awards are set for Nov. 18, and the show will air live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena on ABC and Disney+. Fans will also be able to watch the next day on Hulu.

Tickets to watch the show in-person are also available.

The CMAs have historically been the crowning event of a week filled with celebrations, including the BMI Awards. Several record labels host parties for fans and the industry while dozens of artists walk red carpets to talk about the year past or the year coming.

*Remember: The best way to watch the CMA Awards is on ABC with ToC on your phone.