Taylor Swift's last CMA Awards performance was an acoustic "Red" with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss in 2013. On Nov. 18, she's back on the CMA stage, up for single of the year with her Toy Story 5 song.
Taylor Swift is coming home to country, at least for one night. Swift will perform at The 60th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 18, Good Morning America reported Friday, Nov. 13.
It's her first CMA Awards performance in 13 years. The last one was Nov. 6, 2013, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, when she sang an acoustic version of "Red" with Alison Krauss and Vince Gill, GMA said.
Swift is nominated for single of the year for "I Knew It, I Knew You," her original song for Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5.
Nobody has said yet what she'll sing.
When are the 2026 CMA Awards?
The show airs live Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. It streams the next day on Hulu.
Lainey Wilson hosts for the third year in a row, live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. That's the same building where Swift played "Red" in 2013.
On TV: ABC, 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT)
Streaming live: Disney+
Next day: Hulu
What song will Taylor Swift sing at the CMAs?
Neither GMA nor the CMA has said. GMA's report named her as "the latest performer announced" and didn't give a song.
Her nominated song is the obvious candidate, but that's not confirmed, so we're not calling it.
"I Knew It, I Knew You" plays at the end of Toy Story 5 and has a cowgirl theme tied to Jessie, Variety reported. It hit No. 1 on Billboard's country airplay chart in September.
When did Taylor Swift last go to the CMA Awards?
In 2016, she showed up as a surprise presenter and handed Garth Brooks his entertainer of the year award, Variety reported. This year is her first time back in 10 years.
She told fans in September she'd be there. Right after the nominations came out, she posted "See you there Nov. 18" on her Instagram Stories, along with "LOOKS LIKE I HAVEN'T YEE'D MY LAST HAW."
Her most recent performance at any country awards show was the 2020 ACM Awards, where she sang "Betty," per Variety.
One fun overlap: Vince Gill, her 2013 duet partner, is also on this year's show for a "special appearance," the CMA said Nov. 10. Nobody has said they'll share the stage.
Who else is nominated for CMA single of the year?
Swift is up against two Ella Langley songs and two others, GMA reported in September:
"Be Her": Ella Langley
"Choosin' Texas": Ella Langley
"I Knew It, I Knew You": Taylor Swift
"Somewhere Over Laredo": Lainey Wilson
"The Fall": Cody Johnson
Langley leads all nominees this year with nine nominations, according to the CMA.
Who is performing at the 2026 CMA Awards?
Swift joins a lineup that was already stacked. By our count, she's the 21st act announced.
First round (Nov. 5): Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Tim McGraw, Kacey Musgraves, The Red Clay Strays, Zach Top and Tucker Wetmore
Second round (Nov. 10): Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Wilson Jr., Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson and Vince Gill
Brooks & Dunn tribute: Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, HARDY, Marcus King and Halestorm
The show also includes a tribute to Dolly Parton. The CMA hasn't named who's performing it.
We broke down [the Dolly Parton tribute and first round](https://news.piratesandprincesses.net/p/2026-cma-awards-add-dolly-parton) and [the Luke Combs, Stapleton and Mumford & Sons round](https://news.piratesandprincesses.net/p/2026-cma-awards-add-luke-combs-chris) earlier this month.
Is Toy Story 5 up for other awards?
At the CMAs, it's the one nomination. Variety reported in September that the song is expected to be in the mix for Oscar and Grammy consideration later in awards season.
For Disney fans, that makes Nov. 18 a rare night: a Pixar song on the country music industry's biggest stage, airing on Disney's own network and streaming service.
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:
Good Morning America (Nov. 13, 2026), Swift's performance news and her 2013 CMA performance with Krauss and Gill
Variety (Sept. 10, 2026), Swift's Instagram post, 2016 appearance, 2020 ACM performance and the song's chart run
Good Morning America (Sept. 10, 2026), the single of the year nominees
Country Music Association (Nov. 10, 2026), the second round of performers and Vince Gill's special appearance
Country Music Association (Nov. 5, 2026), the first round, the Dolly Parton tribute, airtime and Langley's nine nominations
Good Morning America (Nov. 5, 2026), air times on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu and the host
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