Lainey Wilson is heading back to one of country music’s biggest stages, and this time she’ll once again be running the show.
Wilson will return as host of the CMA Awards in 2026, taking charge of the milestone 60th edition of the annual country music celebration.
News of her return arrived during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay on September 5. The broadcast originated from Louisiana State University, giving the announcement an appropriate home-state setting for the Louisiana native.
Hosting the CMAs is becoming familiar territory for Wilson.
She shared hosting duties with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning in 2024 before stepping into the spotlight as the show’s solo host in 2025. Her return in 2026 continues a rapid progression that has seen her become not only one of country music’s most successful performers, but also one of the genre’s most visible personalities.
Wilson already has plenty of history with the CMA Awards beyond hosting. She has earned 12 CMA trophies during her career, with wins across categories including Female Vocalist, Album, Musical Event and Entertainer of the Year.
The full picture for the 2026 ceremony is still coming together. Nominees are scheduled to be announced September 10, while performers and presenters have yet to be revealed.
Those announcements should provide a clearer look at which artists will dominate the conversation heading into country music’s biggest night.
The 60th CMA Awards are scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available on Hulu the following day.
For Wilson, another year behind the microphone as host adds one more job to an already impressive country music résumé. She has collected the awards, performed on the big stages and now appears increasingly comfortable being the person entrusted with keeping the entire night moving.
