Taylor Swift returns to 2026 CMA Awards as performer for first time since 2013
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Taylor Swift is heading back to the country music stage! The pop superstar is set to perform at the 2026 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in Nashville, marking her first performance at the ceremony in 13 years.
The CMA and ABC announced the news on Friday, November 13. Swift last attended the event in 2016.
Taylor Swift to perform at 60th Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in Nashville
As per Variety, Swift will take the stage at the 60th annual CMA Awards on November 18 at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The ceremony will be hosted by Lainey Wilson for the third consecutive year and will air live on ABC and Disney+.
The 'Lovers' singer is also among this year's nominees, earning a Single of the Year nomination for 'I Knew It, I Knew You,' her song written for the 'Toy Story 5' soundtrack. The nomination marks her 26th career nod from the CMA Awards.
Swift's return comes after a decade away from attending the ceremony. Her last appearance was in 2016, when she presented Garth Brooks with the Entertainer of the Year award. She last performed at the event in 2013, when she sang an acoustic version of 'Red' alongside Vince Gill and Alison Krauss.
Man, it's been a while! 13 years later, @taylorswift13 returns to perform on the #CMAawards stage Wednesday, Nov. 18 on @ABCNetwork and @DisneyPlus 🫶 https://t.co/sfvvLlOJG5
— CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) November 13, 2026
Swift will join several other performers at this year's ceremony, including Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Zach Top, and Tucker Wetmore.
Taylor Swift has a long history with the CMA Awards
Swift's connection with the CMA Awards goes back to 2006, when she first attended as a rising country singer. She won her first CMA award in 2007, taking home the Horizon Award.
In 2009, she made history as the youngest artist to win Entertainer of the Year, an honor she won again in 2011.
At the 2013 ceremony, she received the Pinnacle Award, which recognized her impact on country music. For those unaware, the award was presented by several country music stars, including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, George Strait, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban.
Over the years, Swift has collected 12 CMA Awards, including two Entertainer of the Year wins. Her return to the CMA stage also brings her back to her country roots after years of dominating the global pop scene.
