CMA Fest 2025 launched with a packed night at Nissan Stadium, providing a summertime soundtrack for the 60,000-ish fans in attendance.
Artists such as Charles Esten, Ella Langley, Tigirlily Gold, Riley Green, Darius Rucker, Scotty McCreery, and Brooks & Dunn entertained the crowd until after midnight.
Brooks & Dunn headlined Nissan Stadium, bringing surprises to the stage. They welcomed Lainey Wilson for a collaboration on "Play Something Country." Guitarist Marcus King joined them on "Rock My World (Little Country Girl)."
Brooks & Dunn's performance was filled with energy, captivating both longtime fans and those experiencing the duo for the first time. The crowd sang along to hits like "Red Dirt Road," "Neon Moon," "My Maria," and "Boot Scootin' Boogie."
Riley Green and Ella Langley performed their duet "You Look Like You Love Me," which stirred up excitement among fans. Green also included a second duet with Langley, "Don't Mind If I Do," on his new album.
Scotty McCreery, who won American Idol in 2011, delivered a show-stopping performance of "Five More Minutes." He performed on a satellite stage, captivating the audience with his heartfelt lyrics.
Darius Rucker, who recently worked on a new album, proved his voice was meant for stadiums. He performed solo hits, including "Alright," "Comeback Song," "Beer & Sunshine," and "Homegrown Honey." Fans sang along to his rendition of Hootie & the Blowfish's "Only Wanna Be with You" and "Wagon Wheel." Rucker also hosted his Darius Rucker & Friends concert Monday night at the Ryman, raising $815,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Relive your favorite performances on #CMAfest presented by @SoFi on Thursday, June 26 at 8/7c on ABC.