Here’s how to watch CMA Awards 2025: Time, host and nominees

Live from Nashville, Tennessee, it’s country music’s biggest night!

The 59th annual CMA Awards will air tonight, Nov. 19, on ABC; the biggest stars in country music will be recognized for their contributions to the genre.

The eligibility period for this year’s nominees was July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, so anything released between those dates was eligible for nomination. Lainey Wilson, Megan Moroney, and Ella Langley are the most nominated artists this year, with six nods each.

In addition to the competitive awards, Vince Gill will be presented with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. In a statement announcing the honor, CMA chief executive officer Sarah Trahern said, “Vince embodies the very best of what country music stands for.”

2025 CMA Awards date

The 2025 CMA Awards are tonight, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

How to watch the CMA Awards for free

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream tonight’s CMA Awards for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching TV live for free — plus, its five-day free trial includes ABC. When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

Sling TV is another affordable way to stream live TV; its Select plan includes ABC and starts at $19.99/month.

Who is hosting the CMA Awards tonight?

This year, the CMA Awards will be hosted by nine-time CMA Award winner Lainey Wilson. Wilson hosted the ceremony last year with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, but will emcee the show solo this year.

2025 CMA Awards nominees

There will be 13 CMA Awards given out this year; these are a few of the top prizes, but you can check out a full list here.

Earlier today, it was announced that “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley (ft. Riley Green) won Music Video of the Year and “Pour Me A Drink” by Post Malone (ft. Blake Shelton) won Musical Event of the Year.

Entertainer of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Album of the Year

• “Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney
• “Cold Beer & Country Music” — Zach Top
• “F-1 Trillion” — Post Malone
• “I’m the Problem” — Morgan Wallen
• “Whirlwind” — Lainey Wilson

Male Vocalist of the Year

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top
• Morgan Wallen

Female Vocalist of the Year

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

• “4x4xU” — Lainey Wilson
• “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” — Luke Combs
• “Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney
• “I Never Lie” — Zach Top
• “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley (ft. Riley Green)

Best New Artist

• Ella Langley
• Shaboozey
• Zach Top
• Tucker Wetmore
• Stephen Wilson Jr.

2025 CMA Awards performers

A number of nominees, including all three of the most-nominated artists, will perform during tonight’s broadcast.

• BigXthaPlug
• Luke Combs
• Brandi Carlile
• Chris Stapleton
• Ella Langley
• Kelsea Ballerini
• Keith Urban
• Kenny Chesney
• Lainey Wilson
• Little Big Town
• Luke Combs
• Megan Moroney
• Miranda Lambert
• Chris Stapleton
• Old Dominion
• Patty Loveless
• The Red Clay Strays
• Riley Green
• Shaboozey
• Stephen Wilson Jr.
• Tucker Wetmore
• Zach Top

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and New York Post’s streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews