Ella Langley at CMA Fest 2026: Everything You Need to Know

Why This CMA Fest Moment Matters for Ella Langley

Less than two years ago, Ella Langley was a rising act with a viral TikTok hit and a debut album that critics were just beginning to notice. By June 2026, she arrives at Nissan Stadium as one of the most decorated new artists in country music the woman who topped the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts simultaneously with “Choosin’ Texas,” a feat no female artist had ever managed before.

Her appearance at CMA Fest 2026 isn’t a breakthrough moment. It’s a victory lap.

Langley is confirmed as part of the first wave of revealed performers for the nightly Nissan Stadium concerts, billed alongside superstars and genre legends. She arrives fresh off the release of her sophomore album Dandelion (April 10, 2026) and in the middle of The Dandelion Tour, her first headlining arena run making this CMA Fest appearance one of the most anticipated sets of the entire four day festival.

Full 2026 Nissan Stadium Lineup

CMA Fest 2026, presented by SoFi, runs June 4 through June 7 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The nightly stadium lineup blends country’s biggest established names with the genre’s hottest current artists.

The confirmed Nissan Stadium performers include Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, HARDY, and Jordan Davis as the veteran and headliner tier. Rising and contemporary stars confirmed alongside Langley include Bailey Zimmerman, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Shaboozey, The Red Clay Strays, Tucker Wetmore, Zach Top, Carly Pearce, and The Band Perry in their reconfigured lineup.

The presence of both Riley Green and HARDY on the same stadium bill as Langley is notable. Both artists are frequent collaborators Green as her most visible duet partner, HARDY as the co writer and featured artist on “Never Met Anyone Like You.” CMA Fest has a well established tradition of surprise on stage pairings, and with all three on the same property across four nights, the conditions for an unannounced collaboration are as favorable as they get.

Ella Langley’s Expected Setlist

The official setlist won’t be confirmed until she steps on stage, but her 2026 touring pattern and recent live performance data give a clear picture of what to expect.

Based on her current Dandelion Tour sets and setlist tracking from early 2026, Langley’s stadium set will almost certainly be built around these songs:

“Choosin’ Texas” Her record-breaking Hot 100 No. 1 and the song that put her name alongside Taylor Swift and Beyoncé in the history books. Almost certain to close the set. She’s currently holding both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart simultaneously a feat only a handful of artists have ever managed.

“You Look Like You Love Me” Her breakthrough duet with Riley Green. With Green also on the Nissan Stadium bill, a joint performance of this song would be one of the loudest moments of the entire festival weekend.

“Weren’t for the Wind” The double platinum, 460 million stream fan favorite from the Still Hungover era. A crowd singalong staple at every show she plays.

“Be Her” Her 2026 single that has been climbing rapidly up the country charts and is already a fixture in her live sets.

“Dandelion” The title track of her new album, which she has been using as a centerpiece in early 2026 shows.

Additional tracks she regularly rotates in include “Country Boy’s Dream Girl,” “Nicotine,” “Paint the Town Blue,” and “Never Met Anyone Like You” the last of which could easily become a surprise stage appearance with HARDY if the festival’s collaborative spirit takes hold.

For a full breakdown of what Langley typically plays night to night, her current Dandelion Tour setlist is tracked and updated after every show.

Venue Guide: Nissan Stadium

Nissan Stadium is the home of the Tennessee Titans NFL franchise and the main stage for CMA Fest’s nightly primetime concerts. It sits at 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213 directly across the Cumberland River from downtown Nashville, connected by the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.

The stadium is open-air, with a capacity of approximately 69,000. It is one of the largest concert settings in the American South, and for an artist of Langley’s current trajectory, performing here marks a clear step into the upper tier of country music’s live circuit.

Getting There: The pedestrian bridge from downtown is the most popular and efficient route. Most attendees staying or eating downtown simply walk across. If you are driving, the nearest parking complexes are Metro Lot R (off Russell Street) and the Tennessee Titans official lots off Nissan Drive. Ride share drop-off is designated on 2nd Avenue South near the bridge entrance.

Bag Policy: Nissan Stadium enforces a strict clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″. A small clutch or wristlet no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ is also permitted. No exceptions are made at entry gates. Pack accordingly a backpack, even a small one, will be turned away.

Cashless Policy: The entire festival operates on a cashless basis. All purchases at Nissan Stadium food, drinks, merchandise require a card or mobile payment. Load your card before arrival and skip the on site reload kiosks, which tend to have lines.

Camera Policy: Still cameras are permitted inside Nissan Stadium, but cameras cannot be carried in a bag at entry. They must be carried separately and presented for inspection. Professional cameras with detachable lenses are not permitted.

Nearby Hotels: The closest walkable hotel options include the Renaissance Nashville Hotel (611 Commerce St), the Omni Nashville Hotel (250 5th Ave S), and the JW Marriott Nashville (201 8th Ave S). For fans who prefer to book a full Nashville experience around the festival, the Gulch and SoBro neighborhoods offer dozens of additional options within a 15-minute walk of the pedestrian bridge.

Tickets, Passes & Pricing

Four-Night Stadium Passes are the primary ticket type for the Nissan Stadium nightly concerts and are currently on sale through Ticketmaster and the official CMA Fest site.

Prices start at approximately $259 to $311 depending on seating section. A Four Night Pass includes admission to all four nightly shows at Nissan Stadium and four days of access to Fan Fair X at the Music City Center.

Single day tickets are typically released closer to the event. If you are attending specifically for Ella Langley and her performance night is confirmed before single day tickets go on sale, a single day ticket may become available. Until Langley’s specific night is assigned, the Four Night Pass remains the safest option to guarantee entry.

VIP packages are also available at a significantly higher price point. Premium VIP options include VIP seating sections closer to the stage, all inclusive food and beverage access, expedited entry lanes, and private viewing areas. Specific VIP tier pricing is listed on the official CMA Fest website.

Fan Fair X standalone tickets are available separately for those who want access to the Music City Center events meet and greets, acoustic performances, and celebrity Q&A sessions without purchasing a full stadium pass.

Fan Fair X and the Free Daytime Stages

One of the things that separates CMA Fest from most major music festivals is scale. The Nissan Stadium nightly concerts are only one part of a citywide event that transforms downtown Nashville across four full days.

Fan Fair X at the Music City Center (201 5th Ave S) is the festival’s hub for fan interaction the place where the distance between artist and audience collapses entirely. It hosts celebrity Q&A sessions, autograph signings, acoustic performances, and merchandise pop ups. While Langley’s specific Fan Fair X schedule has not been announced, artists of her profile commonly participate in at least one signing or Q&A session over the course of the weekend.

The free daytime stages are open to the public with no ticket required. These include the Chevy Riverfront Stage at Riverfront Park, the Dr Pepper Amp Stage, the Chevy Vibes Stage, the Good Molecules Reverb Stage, and the Hard Rock Stage, spread across Walk of Fame Park, Ascend Park, and Bridgestone Plaza.

Additional daytime artist announcements including which acts will appear on which free stage are typically released by the CMA in the weeks leading up to the festival. The CMA Connect App is the definitive tool for tracking the full schedule, including surprise additions that are often announced just hours before they happen.

Know Before You Go

CMA Fest covers a footprint of just over two square miles of downtown Nashville. That is a lot of ground across four days, especially in June heat. Here is what repeat attendees consistently flag as the things first timers miss:

Download the CMA Connect App before you arrive. The full minute by minute schedule including which artist is on which stage at what time is uploaded through the app, not on the website. It also sends real time notifications for surprise artist additions and stage changes.

Arrive early for Nissan Stadium. Security lines for the nightly concerts can stretch significantly in the 90 minute window before show time. Gates typically open two hours before the first performance. Arriving at open ensures you clear security without missing any of the opening acts.

Wear comfortable shoes. This sounds obvious until you are standing in line for a Fan Fair X signing at noon and then crossing the pedestrian bridge to Nissan Stadium for an 8:00 PM show. The walking distances add up quickly across four days.

Check the weather. Nissan Stadium is open-air. Nashville in early June is warm, humid, and prone to afternoon thunderstorms. A small clear poncho (which meets the bag policy requirements when folded) and sunscreen are practical additions to any festival kit.

The pedestrian bridge is the fastest route. From the lower Broadway area, crossing the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge directly into the stadium’s main approach is consistently faster than any road route, especially post concert when vehicle traffic backs up significantly.

How to Watch if You Can’t Attend

If you can’t make it to Nashville in June, you won’t miss the moments that matter. The nightly CMA Fest concerts at Nissan Stadium will be filmed for a primetime special airing on ABC later in the summer, with the broadcast also available for streaming on Hulu.

The ABC/Hulu special typically airs in late July or August and features highlight performances from across all four nights, including the most talked-about moments and collaborations from the weekend. For fans outside the United States, the broadcast schedule on international platforms is generally announced closer to the airdate.

FAQ

When is CMA Fest 2026?
CMA Fest 2026 runs from Thursday, June 4 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium begin around 7:00 to 8:00 PM each evening and continue until approximately midnight.

Is Ella Langley performing at CMA Fest 2026?
Yes. Ella Langley is confirmed as part of the nightly Nissan Stadium concert lineup at CMA Fest 2026. She was included in the first wave of performers announced on February 25, 2026. Her specific performance night has not yet been officially assigned by the CMA, though some secondary sources have listed her for the opening night of June 4.

How long will Ella Langley’s set be at CMA Fest?
Based on the festival’s established format, mid card and rising star performers at Nissan Stadium typically play between 20 and 30 minutes. Major headliners receive 35 to 45 minutes. In addition to her solo set, Langley may also appear as a guest during other artists’ sets CMA Fest is well-known for unannounced collaborations.

How much are CMA Fest 2026 tickets?
Four Night Stadium Passes start at approximately $259 to $311 depending on section, and include entry to all four nightly Nissan Stadium shows plus four day access to Fan Fair X. VIP packages are available at higher price points. Single day tickets are typically released closer to the event date.

What is the bag policy at Nissan Stadium for CMA Fest?
Nissan Stadium enforces a strict clear bag policy. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″. A small clutch or wristlet no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ is also permitted. No non clear bags of any size are allowed, and cameras must be carried separately not inside a bag.

Will CMA Fest 2026 be on TV?
Yes. The nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium will be filmed and broadcast as a primetime special on ABC, with the special also available for streaming on Hulu. The broadcast typically airs in late July or August following the June festival.

What songs will Ella Langley play at CMA Fest 2026?
Her set will most likely center on “Choosin’ Texas,” “You Look Like You Love Me,” “Weren’t for the Wind,” “Be Her,” and tracks from her April 2026 album Dandelion. Based on her 2026 touring data, she also regularly performs “Country Boy’s Dream Girl,” “Nicotine,” and “Paint the Town Blue.” A surprise collaboration with Riley Green or HARDY both confirmed for the same stadium bill is considered highly likely by fans tracking the lineup.

Where is CMA Fest held?
The main nightly concerts are at Nissan Stadium, located at 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213. Fan Fair X is held at the Music City Center (201 5th Ave S). Free daytime stages are spread across Riverfront Park, Walk of Fame Park, Ascend Park, and Bridgestone Plaza in downtown Nashville.