More Aussies Added To CMA Fest 2026

Megan Hopkins

From Kaylee Bell landing a major spotlight panel to a fresh wave of Australian talent joining the lineup, CMA Fest 2026 is shaping up to be a massive moment for Australasia’s country scene.

Jarrad Wrigley, Rachael Fahim, Tori Darke
Jarrad Wrigley, Rachael Fahim, Tori Darke(Credit: Supplied, Cybele Malinowski, Supplied)
More Kaylee Bell Kaylee Bell

The Australian country takeover of Nashville is continuing.

CMA Fest has officially revealed another huge round of artists and programming for its 2026 event, with a strong showing from Australian and New Zealand acts across Fan Fair X - including appearances from Austin Mackay, Jarrad Wrigley, Kingswood, Rachael Fahim and Tori Darke.

The newly announced acts will perform live across the Tractor Supply Spotlight Stage inside Fan Fair X, the indoor hub of CMA Fest that’s become one of the festival’s biggest discovery spaces for emerging artists and rising country names. 

Running inside Nashville’s Music City Center across the four day festival, Fan Fair X combines performances, meet and greets, panels and artist experiences all under one roof.

And this year’s Australian representation is genuinely stacked.

Fresh off building momentum both locally and internationally, Mackay joins the lineup alongside APRA Award winner Fahim, while Kingswood continue their evolution deeper into country and Americana territory..

Meanwhile, Darke continues her growing Nashville presence after years of steadily building a fanbase both in Australia and the US, while 2026 Toyota Star Maker winner Wrigley adds another major career moment to what’s already been a huge year.

But one of the biggest Australasian highlights comes via Bell, who has secured a featured appearance on the CMA Close Up Stage as part of the panel Dreams Across Borders: Making Nashville Home.

Bell will appear alongside Gareth and Owen Riegling on Sunday 7 June, with the discussion set to focus on international artists carving out careers in Nashville - something Bell has become one of the biggest success stories for in recent years.

At this point, seeing Australian artists integrated into major Nashville programming no longer feels like a novelty. Between streaming growth, increased touring opportunities and the global rise of country music culture over the last few years, Australian and New Zealand artists are becoming increasingly visible within the wider US country scene.

The wider Fan Fair X lineup also includes performances and appearances from artists including Carly Pearce, Ashley McBryde, Russell Dickerson and Shaboozey across the four day event.

CMA Fest runs from Thursday 4 June through Sunday 7 June in Nashville, Tennessee.