Country’s hottest stars are headed to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for this year’s highly anticipated CMA Awards, dubbed “The Biggest Night in Country Music.” Packed with impressive performances, the event will be streamed live and 100% *free* in some territories. Simply follow the instructions below on how to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online and from anywhere with a VPN.
Wilson is back in the chair for her second time as host. The nine-time CMA Award winner, up for her fourth consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year award, will welcome country legends like Vince Gill and chart-topping newcomers to the stage as the CMA honors the year’s top country music stars.
And all of you, you’re going to blow the roof off Bridgestone Arena. Not only do Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney lead with a joint six nominations (competing in categories including Song, Video and Single of the Year), but they’ll take the stage to perform alongside Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Shaboozey and many more, while incredible guest hosts like comedy legend Steve Martin, Billy Bob Thornton and the cast of 9-1-1: Nashville will approach the microphone.
So, get ready to scream and scream as we explain how to watch the 2025 CMA Awards, no matter where you are and potentially for free.
Can you watch the 2025 CMA Awards for free online?
Those in the UK can watch the 2025 CMA Awards on Thursday, November 20 and absolutely FREE on BBC iPlayer. A quick caveat, however, is that you will need a TV license to stream live or on-demand content.
American viewers new to Hulu can use their 30-day free trial to watch the awards ceremony, while Australians will want to access 9Now, although it won’t air in Australia until mid-December. But if you’re out of the country, use a VPN as detailed below to access your home services while you’re abroad.
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you’re hoping to watch the 2025 CMA Awards but you’re away from home and access to the ceremony is geo-blocked, you can always use a VPN to access (assuming you’re not violating the broadcaster’s terms and conditions, of course). You will be surprised how simple it is to do.
Use a VPN to watch the 2025 CMA Awards from anywhere
Using a VPN is as easy as one, two, three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our best option is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, press ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate geographic location
3. Go to the station’s live broadcast. – so in this case, go to BBC iPlayer
Stream the 2025 CMA Awards around the world
How to watch the CMA Awards 2025 online for free in the UK
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online in the US
We’re back in Nashville for the 2025 CMA Awards, which American viewers can watch live on ABC on Wednesday, November 19and of 8 pm Eastern Time / 5 pm Pacific Time / 7 pm Central Time. The star-studded event lasts three hours and will be uploaded to Hulu to stream the next day.
Don’t have a Hulu subscription? Plans start at $11.99 a month for the ad-supported on-demand offering, and new subscribers can enjoy Hulu’s generous 30-day free trial of the service. However, there are a variety of other Hulu plans and prices, including Hulu plus Live TV and a variety of package options.
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online in Canada
Those with cable should tune into CTV2 for the 59th Annual CMA Awards on November 19 in 8 pm Eastern Time / 5 pm Pacific Time / 7 pm Central Timeairing in sync with its US debut. If you have cable, you can log into CTV.ca and stream the show via mobile device, or alternatively, Canadians can purchase a Crave subscription (from CA$11.99 a month) and watch the 2025 CMA Awards online the next day.
A UK citizen traveling to Canada? Can use a VPN to appear at home and unlock BBC iPlayer, meaning you can watch the show no matter where you are. We recommend NordVPN
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online in Australia
Stan is Australians’ first port of call when it comes to watching this year’s CMA Awards. The streamer will broadcast the country music event live Thursday, November 20 in 12pm AEDT.
It no longer offers a free trial. However, if you can wait about three weeks, the 2025 CMAs will have a delayed broadcast on Channel Nine this December 14, in addition to free ad-supported streamer 9Now.
Looking for your free streaming? Britons who have left the United Kingdom can use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer and watch the CMA Awards 2025 free from abroad.
CMA Awards 2025 What you need to know
CMA Awards 2025 Trailer
Nominees for the 2025 CMA Awards
There are thirteen categories in total at this year’s CMA Awards. A select few can be found below along with the nominees. The complete list is available here:
artist of the year
- lucas combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
album of the year
- I’m fine? —Megan Moroney
- Cold beer and country music -Zach Top
- F-1 billion —Post Malone
- I am the problem —Morgan Wallen
- Whirlwind —Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- lucas combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Top Zach
- Morgan Wallen
female vocalist of the year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Vocal group of the year
- lady to
- small big city
- Old domain
- Flatts scoundrels
- The red clay strays
song of the year
- “4x4xU” – Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “I’m fine?” – Megan Moroney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird
- “I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- “Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, Lalo Guzmán
- “It Looks Like You Love Me” – Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley, Riley Green
New artist of the year
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Top Zach
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who are the guest presenters for the 2025 CMA Awards?
Bridgestone Arena will welcome a smorgasbord of celebrities to the CMA Awards podium. They include Hollywood star Steve Martin, Oscar-nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton, ’90s R&B hitmaker NE-YO, Elizabeth Hurley, Billy Ray Cyrus and Bailey Zimmerman, as well as ReacherAlan Ritchson, comedian Cody Johnson, tell me lies actress Grace Van Patten and the stars of 9-1-1: Nashvilleamong many others.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Access a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protect your online security and strengthen your online privacy when you are abroad. We do not support or tolerate illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Future Publishing does not endorse or approve the consumption of paid pirated content.
