Rock band Halestorm will help honor Brooks & Dunn, and Mumford & Sons make their CMA Awards debut. That brings the lineup to 20 acts, and Taylor Swift still isn't on it.
The 60th CMA Awards just got a lot louder. The Country Music Association named 12 more performers on Tuesday, Nov. 10, including Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney and Mumford & Sons.
The show airs live Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, then streams the next day on Hulu. Lainey Wilson hosts for the third straight year, and she's now on the performer list, too.
The biggest surprise is a tribute. Brooks & Dunn will receive the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, and the medley in their honor includes Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Marcus King and rock band Halestorm, the CMA said.
By our count, that's 20 acts announced across two rounds. More could still come. Last week's announcement promised more performers and presenters in the coming weeks.
Who is performing at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Here's the new round, with nominations from the CMA's announcement:
Luke Combs: three nominations, for entertainer, album and male vocalist of the year
Chris Stapleton: four nominations, for entertainer, male vocalist, musical event and music video. He performs twice, Billboard reported.
Mumford & Sons: their CMA Awards debut, joined by Stapleton
Stephen Wilson Jr.: four nominations, including new artist of the year. He teams up with Stapleton.
Megan Moroney: two nominations, for female vocalist and song of the year
Lainey Wilson: the host and reigning entertainer of the year, with three nominations
Vince Gill: a "special appearance" from the Country Music Hall of Fame member, who has hosted the CMA Awards 12 times
Brooks & Dunn tribute: Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Marcus King and Halestorm
The CMA didn't say what anyone will sing.
Who was already announced?
The first round came out Thursday, Nov. 5: Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore. Langley leads all nominees with nine.
We broke down that first lineup, plus the planned Dolly Parton tribute, in [our Nov. 6 CMA Awards preview](https://news.piratesandprincesses.net/p/2026-cma-awards-add-dolly-parton).
Who is performing the Dolly Parton tribute at the CMA Awards?
The CMA still hasn't said. Its first announcement promised "an unforgettable tribute to Dolly Parton." Tuesday's release didn't mention the tribute at all.
Why are Brooks & Dunn getting a tribute?
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are this year's winners of the CMA Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, the CMA said. Five acts will honor them with an all-star medley, The Music Universe reported. The CMA didn't say whether the duo will perform.
The mix is a little unusual. Brothers Osborne are up for vocal duo of the year. HARDY is nominated for musical event and song of the year. The Tennessean described Halestorm as heavy metal, which is not a genre you usually hear at the CMAs.
Is Taylor Swift performing at the CMA Awards?
Not as of Tuesday. Swift is nominated for single of the year for "I Knew It, I Knew You," her song from Pixar's Toy Story 5, and she said in September she'd be there Nov. 18, Variety reported.
She's still not on either performer list. If the CMA has a surprise planned, it isn't telling.
How can I watch the 2026 CMA Awards?
On TV: ABC, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 8 to 11 p.m. ET
Streaming live: Disney+
Next day: Hulu
Backstage: Lauren Alaina and Haley Baylee host "CMA Awards Backstage Live," presented by Bath & Body Works
In person: Limited tickets remain at CMAawards.com/tickets, the CMA said.
The show comes from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Robert Deaton is executive producer, Alan Carter directs and Jon Macks is head writer.
Who is nominated for CMA entertainer of the year?
Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson. With Tuesday's announcement, all five are now on the performer list.
Wilson won the award last year, so the host could be handing herself a trophy, or at least standing very close to it.
ABC has more country coming, too. Lady A hosts CMA Country Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 1, on ABC, then streams on Disney+ and Hulu.
Article compiled and written by Kambrea Pratt (editor-in-chief), Derek Gibbs (beat editor) and the Pirates & Princesses newsroom. Pirates & Princesses is part of WebReef Media.
Pirates and Princesses is your destination for Disney news, theme park updates, and the pop culture you love. From Disney cruises and travel tips to Disney fashion, food, collectibles, and movie news, PNP covers it all. Visit us at piratesandprincesses.net for daily coverage. Follow PNP on Facebook and Instagram, and listen to the Pirates & Princesses podcast on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
Hat Tips:
Country Music Association (Nov. 10, 2026), the new performers, Brooks & Dunn tribute and award, nominations, broadcast details and production team
Laughing Place (Nov. 10, 2026), the tip and Vince Gill's special appearance
Billboard (Nov. 10, 2026), Stapleton performing twice
The Tennessean (Nov. 10, 2026), the round's mix of acts and Halestorm's genre
The Music Universe (Nov. 10, 2026), the all-star medley detail
Country Music Association (Nov. 5, 2026), the first eight performers and the Dolly Parton tribute
Variety (Sept. 10, 2026), Taylor Swift's plan to attend
AI Disclosure: All articles are assigned, edited and reviewed by an experienced human editor before posting. Like most modern newsrooms, WebReef Media uses a variety of AI tools to help with accuracy and efficiency. Ways AI may be used in article creation include research, grammar, fact-checking and ideation, as well as occasional AI generated or enhanced thumbnails or graphics. No articles are generated or posted without human oversight or involvement.