CMA Awards 2023: Everything to Know About Country Music's Biggest Night

Country music fans’ favorite night of the year has arrived!

The stars will be stepping out on Wednesday in Nashville, as the 57th annual CMA Awards go down at Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. ET, airing live on ABC and streaming exclusively on Hulu on Thursday. 

Returning hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning are back to emcee the event from the Country Music Association, which celebrates accomplishments within the genre and honors stand-out artists, songwriters and producers. 

With an A-list roster of talent confirmed to take the stage as performers and presenters, country music’s biggest night should be a star-studded, must-watch affair. 

Keep reading for everything to know about the 2023 CMA Awards. 

Check out PEOPLE's full CMA Awards coverage to get the latest news on country music’s biggest night.

Who is nominated at the 2023 CMA Awards?

This year, Lainey Wilson leads with nine nominations — making history as the only artist to ever lead the nominations for the award show in her first two times on the ballot. Behind the singer-songwriter is first-time contender Jelly Roll, who was recognized in five categories, and HARDY and Luke Combs, who received four nods each. Jordan Davis, Ashley McBryde, Chris Stapleton and Morgan Wallen follow with three nominations. 

Combs, Stapleton, Wallen, Wilson, as well as Carrie Underwood, all face off for the coveted entertainer of the year prize. 

The lauded new artist of the year category, which Wilson won last year, is also stacked, with  Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney and Hailey Whitters up for the award.

Among the recognized talent are 29 first-time nominees, including Bryan, Whitters and John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, who received his first solo nod. Because Tracy Chapman wrote the 1988 hit “Fast Car,” which Combs covered and garnered attention for this past year, she’s also nominated for the first time in the song of the year category. 

See the full list of nominations here.

Who is hosting the 2023 CMA Awards?

The dynamic duo of Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning are back to host for the second year in a row. The “Play It Again” singer and the NFL star were announced as returning hosts back in May. 

Last year marked the first time the pair tag-teamed on emceeing duties, one year after Bryan hosted solo in 2021. 

The pair previously expressed their excitement about reuniting. In a hilarious promotional video, the two decided they would rather go for round two, instead of riding off into the sunset. 

As the two fulfill the role yet again, they join a storied history of CMA Awards hosting partners, including Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood and Brooks & Dunn. 

Who is performing at the 2023 CMA Awards?

More than a few of country music fans’ favorite acts will take the CMA Awards stage. 

A handful of nominated artists will perform: Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, HARDY, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Megan Moroney, Carly Pearce, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, The War and Treaty, Lainey Wilson and Zac Brown Band. 

Additionally, Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Mac McAnally, K. Michelle, Post Malone and Tanya Tucker will also entertain. 

Many of the nominees are confirmed to play renditions of their work being honored at the award show. Ballerini will showcase “Leave Me Again” off album of the year contender Rolling Up the Welcome Mat; Davis will play three-time nominee "Next Thing You Know;” McBryde serenade with “Light On In the Kitchen;” Wallen will sing a song off his nominated One Thing at a Time; and Wilson will bring to life “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” from Bell Bottom Country.

Meanwhile, Combs, Dan + Shay and The War and Treaty are all confirmed to play their recent singles. 

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Several artists will also team up. Stapleton will take on his recent single “White Horses” and link up with Pearce for a duet of their song “We Don't Fight Anymore.” Old Dominion and Moroney will also join together to play their collaboration “Can’t Break Up Now.” 

Aside from performing his two-time nominated hit “Need a Favor,” Jelly Roll will join K. Michelle for a cover of The Judds’ “Love Can Build a Bridge” and Little Big Town will sing Tanya Tucker’s iconic song “Delta Dawn” with the legend herself. 

One special tribute of the night will come from McBryde, Jackson and Zac Brown Band, who will join together to honor the late Jimmy Buffett. The other highlight sees HARDY, Wallen and Post Malone joining forces to offer a medley of country classics. 

Who is presenting at the 2023 CMA Awards?

There’s just as much star power among the lineup of presenters. Country stars Martina McBride, Bill Anderson, Keith Urban, Sara Evans, Brian Kelley, Craig Morgan, Darius Rucker and Chris Young are among the list, as are nominees Lady A, Jordan Davis and Parker McCollum.

Talent from outside of the country music industry are also stepping out to show their support. Other presenters include singer-songwriter and dancer Paula Abdul, Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, comedian Nate Bargatze, Broadway’s Kevin Cahoon, 2023 World Series MVP, Corey Seager, The Golden Bachelor star Gerry Turner.

How to watch the 2023 CMA Awards:

The 2023 CMA Awards will air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 via ABC. The following day, the telecast will stream exclusively on Hulu. 

Red carpet coverage will also air ahead of the ceremony. A 30-minute special, On the Red Carpet: Countdown to the CMA Awards, will air on ABC at 7:30 and feature interviews with a handful of nominees. Prior to the broadcast, additional red carpet coverage will stream online starting at 5:30 on OnTheRedCarpet.com.