The Country Music Association and ABC have officially announced that CMA Fest presented by SoFi will return as a three-hour televised concert special, bringing Nashville’s biggest celebration of country music back into primetime.
This year’s broadcast will be co-hosted by Riley Green and Emmy® Award-winning journalist and television personality Lara Spencer, marking a pairing that blends modern country energy with established broadcast experience.
At its core, CMA Fest has always been more than a concert.
It is a snapshot of the genre at full volume—live crowds, emotional performances, and moments that often become defining memories for both artists and fans.
The return of the televised special continues that tradition on a national stage.
Riley Green’s involvement brings a strong connection to contemporary country audiences who have followed his rise through storytelling-driven hits and grounded stage presence.
His style represents a generation of artists who lean into authenticity rather than spectacle.
On the other side, Lara Spencer brings decades of live television experience, known for guiding audiences through major cultural moments with clarity and warmth.
Together, the pairing signals a balance between country roots and mainstream broadcast storytelling.
The three-hour format gives the event space to breathe, allowing performances, interviews, and crowd moments to unfold without feeling rushed.
For viewers at home, it becomes a window into Nashville’s energy during one of its most celebrated weekends of the year.
For artists on stage, it is a chance to reach audiences far beyond the festival grounds.
Each year, CMA Fest continues to evolve while staying grounded in its original purpose: celebrating country music in its most alive, shared form.
And with this year’s hosting duo now revealed, anticipation is building not just for the performances—but for the moments that will define the broadcast long after the final song ends.