Country’s hottest stars are heading to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for this year’s highly anticipated CMA Awards, dubbed “Country Music’s Biggest Night.” Packed with barnstorming acts, the event is streaming live and 100% *free* in some areas. Just follow the instructions below on how to watch CMA Awards 2025 online and anywhere with a VPN.
Wilson is back in the saddle for a second time as host. The nine-time CMA Award winner, up for her fourth Female Vocalist of the Year award, will welcome both country legends like Vince Gill and chart-topping newcomers to the stage as CMA honors the year’s top country music stars.
And you guys, they’re going to blow the roof off Bridgestone Arena. Not only do Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney lead with six combined nominations (up for grabs in categories including Song, Video and Single of the Year), but they’ll take to the stage to perform alongside Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Shaboozey and many more, while incredible guest presenters such as comedy legend Steve Martin, Billy Bob Thornton and the cast 9-1-1: Nashville will step up to the microphone.
So get ready to howl and shout as we explain how to watch the CMA Awards 2025 wherever you are and potentially for free.
Can you watch CMA Awards 2025 online for free?
Those in the UK can watch the CMA Awards 2025 on Thursday 20 November and absolutely FREE on BBC iPlayer. A quick caveat, though, is that you’ll need a TV license to stream content live or on-demand.
US viewers new to Hulu can use its 30-day free trial to catch the awards show, while Australians will have access to 9Now – although it won’t be shown Down Under until mid-December. However, if you’re out of the country, you’ll need a VPN as described below to access your home services while abroad.
Unblock any stream with a VPN
If you’re hoping to watch the CMA Awards 2025, but you’re away from home and access to the ceremony is geo-blocked, then you can always use a VPN to access it (assuming you’re not violating any broadcasters’ T&Cs, of course). You might be surprised how easy it is to do.
Use a VPN to watch the CMA Awards 2025 from anywhere
Using a VPN is as easy as one-two-three…
1. Download and install a VPN – as we say, our top choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, tap ‘choose location’ and select the appropriate geographic location
3. Go to the broadcaster’s live stream – so in this case you just have to go to BBC iPlayer
Stream CMA Awards 2025 around the world
How to watch the CMA Awards 2025 online for free in the UK
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in the US
We’re back in Nashville for the 2025 CMA Awards, which US viewers can watch live on ABC Wednesday 19 Novemberand from 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM CT. The star-studded event will last three hours and will be uploaded to Hulu for streaming the very next day.
Don’t have a Hulu subscription? Plans start at $11.99 per month for the ad-supported, on-demand offering, with new subscribers enjoying the service’s generous 30-day Hulu free trial. However, there are a number of other Hulu plans and prices, including Hulu plus Live TV and a variety of package options.
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in Canada
Those with cable should tune in to CTV2 for the 59th CMA Awards 19 November on 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM CTwhich airs synchronously with its American debut. If you have cable, you can log into CTV.ca and stream the show via a mobile device, or alternatively, Canadians can purchase a Crave subscription (starting at CA$11.99 per month) and watch the CMA Awards 2025 online the following day.
A British citizen traveling in Canada? You can use a VPN to turn up at home and unblock BBC iPlayer, meaning you can watch the show wherever you are. We recommend NordVPN
How to watch CMA Awards 2025 online in Australia
Stan is Aussies’ first port of call when it comes to watching this year’s CMA Awards. The streamer will broadcast the country music event live Thursday 20 November on 12pm AEDT.
It no longer offers a free trial. But if you can wait around three weeks, the 2025 CMAs will get a delayed broadcast on Channel Nine this December 14, in addition to free, ad-supported streamer 9Now.
Looking for your free stream? Britons who have left the UK can use a VPN to access BBC iPlayer and watch CMA Awards 2025 free from abroad.
CMA Awards 2025 Need To Know
CMA Awards 2025 trailer
Nominated for CMA Awards 2025
There are thirteen categories in total at this year’s CMA Awards. A select few along with the nominees can be found below. The full list is available here:
Entertainer of the year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Album of the year
- am i ok – Megan Moroney
- Cold beer and country music — Zach Top
- F-1 trillion — Post Malone
- I am the problem —Morgan Wallen
- Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson
Male vocalist of the year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Morgan Wallen
Female vocalist of the year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Vocalist group of the year
- Lady A
- Small big city
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The red clay roams
Song of the year
- “4x4xU” — Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “Am I okay?” – Megan Moroney, Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird
- “I Never Lie” – Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
- “Texas” – Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Kyle Sturrock, Lalo Guzman
- “You Look Like You Love Me” – Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley, Riley Green
New artist of the year
- Ella Langley
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who are the CMA Awards 2025 guest hosts?
Bridgestone Arena welcomes a smorgasbord of A-listers to the CMA Awards podium. These include Hollywood star Steve Martin, Oscar-nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton, sinister R&B hitmaker NE-YO, Elizabeth Hurley, Billy Ray Cyrus and Bailey Zimmerman, in addition to Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson, stand-up comic Cody Johnson, Tell me lies actress Grace Van Patten, and the stars from 9-1-1: Nashvilleamong many others.
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