Ella Langley’s CMA Fest 2026 Broadcast — ‘Be Her’ and ‘Choosin’ Texas’
Ella Langley performed two No. 1 hits back-to-back on the CMA Fest 2026 ABC broadcast — the first time she delivered that combination on national television. “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas” both aired during the three-hour CMA Fest presented by SoFi special on June 25. The packed Nissan Stadium crowd erupted for both performances, cementing Langley’s position as one of country music’s most bankable live draws heading into the second half of her 2026 Dandelion Tour.
Both songs appear on Dandelion (SAWGOD/Columbia Records), her sophomore album released April 10, 2026. Riley Green and Lara Spencer co-hosted the broadcast. The special aired at 8/7c on ABC and became available to stream the following day on Hulu.
Ella Langley’s ‘Be Her’ Opens the CMA Fest Broadcast Set
“Be Her,” Langley’s fifth No. 1 single of her career, opened the CMA Fest 2026 broadcast set and drew immediate cheers from the Nissan Stadium crowd. The SAWGOD/Columbia Records track follows a narrator who studies another woman’s life and asks a question most country fans already know: why can’t that be me?
Langley moved across the full width of the Nissan Stadium stage during the performance. She worked the crowd from both sides — a confident command of a venue that holds more than 69,000 for concerts. She wore a white mini dress detailed with a delicate floral pattern and long flowing sleeves. White boots completed the look.
The performance marked the first time “Be Her” received extended national television treatment as a live centerpiece. Langley opened with the song in a clear signal of its standing in the Dandelion setlist — before the heavier artillery of “Choosin’ Texas” closed the segment. For fans tracking the full 2026 Dandelion Tour setlist, the CMA Fest broadcast confirmed “Be Her” as the opening anchor.
Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ Stops the Nissan Stadium Crowd
“Choosin’ Texas” closed Ella Langley’s CMA Fest broadcast segment and stopped the show. The SAWGOD/Columbia Records single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot Country Songs tally, and the Country Airplay chart at the same time — making Langley the first solo woman to lead all three simultaneously.
The song opened with its now-iconic guitar run. The Nissan Stadium audience launched into a full sing-along from the first note. Langley co-wrote “Choosin’ Texas” with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor. Langley and Ben West co-produced the track, with Lambert also serving as executive producer of Dandelion.
The bittersweet narrative — a woman watching the man she loves choose Texas, and someone else — carries particular resonance live. Langley’s stage confidence and the crowd’s response confirmed “Choosin’ Texas” as one of country music’s signature songs of 2026.
CMA Fest 2026 Broadcast — What Else Aired
CMA Fest presented by SoFi aired as a three-hour special on ABC on June 25, 2026. Nissan Stadium in Nashville hosted Ella Langley’s performances on night one of the multi-night festival. SoFi became the first-ever presenting sponsor and Official Bank of CMA Fest. The partnership centered on financial independence through music.
The broadcast also featured the live television debut of Shaboozey’s new single, “Cowgirl.” Country icon Deana Carter delivered a spotlight performance curated by SoFi. The performer roster spanned multiple generations of country: Bailey Zimmerman, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, and Cody Johnson.
Also performing: Florida Georgia Line, Gretchen Wilson, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, and Lainey Wilson. Luke Bryan, Molly Tuttle, The Red Clay Strays, Ricky Skaggs, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Tim McGraw, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top rounded out the night.
CMA Fest returns to downtown Nashville June 10–13, 2027 for its 54th installment.
Why the CMA Fest 2026 Broadcast Matters for Ella Langley
Ella Langley’s CMA Fest 2026 set placed both Dandelion-era singles in front of country music’s widest summer television audience. The ABC broadcast drew millions of viewers — the largest single-night country music television audience outside of awards season. For an artist mid-Dandelion Tour, that exposure extends the commercial runway of both tracks.
“Be Her” carries chart history as her fifth No. 1 single. “Choosin’ Texas” defined the first half of 2026 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs tally. The CMA Fest broadcast staged them together — for the first time on national television — and the Nissan Stadium audience delivered the kind of response that algorithms and chart panels notice.
Langley’s Dandelion Tour runs through October 31, 2026, spanning 37 shows across 22 states. The tour closes at Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The CMA Fest broadcast gives every remaining tour date additional momentum. For the complete catalog of Ella Langley’s songs from Dandelion and Hungover, this broadcast stands as the most prominent national showcase either track has received outside a full stadium night.
Ella Langley CMA Fest 2026 — FAQ
Did Ella Langley perform at CMA Fest 2026? Yes. Ella Langley performed “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas” during the CMA Fest presented by SoFi broadcast, which aired June 25, 2026 on ABC.
Where did Ella Langley perform at CMA Fest 2026? Langley performed at Nissan Stadium in Nashville — the home of the Tennessee Titans — during night one of the multi-night CMA Fest 2026.
What did Ella Langley wear at CMA Fest 2026? Langley wore a white mini dress with a delicate floral pattern, long flowing sleeves, and matching white boots.
Who co-wrote ‘Choosin’ Texas’? Ella Langley co-wrote “Choosin’ Texas” with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor. Langley and Ben West co-produced the track.
What channel aired the CMA Fest 2026 broadcast? The CMA Fest presented by SoFi three-hour special aired June 25, 2026 at 8/7c on ABC. The broadcast streams on Hulu the following day.