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.” Filled with stunning performances, the event will be streamed live and 100% *free* in select territories. Simply follow the instructions below to learn how to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online and from anywhere with a VPN.
Wilson is back in the saddle for his second time as host. The nine-time CMA Award winner, vying 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 y’all, they’re going to blow the roof off Bridgestone Arena. Not only are Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney leading the way with six joint nominations (vying in categories like Song, Video and Single of the Year), but they’ll be taking the stage to perform alongside Keith Urban, Luke Combs, Shaboozey and more, while incredible guest presenters like comedy legend Steve Martin, Billy Bob Thornton and the cast of 9-1-1: Nashville will take 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 online for free?
Brits can watch the 2025 CMA Awards on Thursday November 20 and absolutely FREE on BBC iPlayer. However, a small caveat is that you will need a TV license to stream live or on-demand content.
US viewers new to Hulu can take advantage of its 30-day free trial to catch the awards ceremony, while Australians will want to access 9Now – although it won’t air in Australia until mid-December. But if you’re abroad, use a VPN as detailed below to access your home services while 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 it (assuming you’re not violating the broadcaster’s terms and conditions, of course). You might 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 first choice is NordVPN
2. Connect to the appropriate server location – open the VPN app, click “Choose location” and select the appropriate geographic location
3. Access the broadcaster’s live stream – so in that case, just head to BBC iPlayer
Stream the 2025 CMA Awards around the world
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards 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 US viewers can watch live on ABC on Wednesday November 19and of 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. CT. The prestigious event lasts three hours and will be uploaded to Hulu for streaming the following day.
Don’t have a Hulu subscription? Plans start at $11.99 per month for the ad-supported on-demand offering, with new subscribers able to take advantage of the service’s generous 30-day Hulu free trial. There are, however, a range of other Hulu plans and prices, including Hulu plus Live TV and a range of bundled options.
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online in Canada
Those with cable should tune into CTV2 for the 59th CMA Awards, the November 19 has 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. CTbroadcast in sync with its US debut. If you have cable, you can log on to 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 2025 CMA Awards online the next day.
A British national traveling to Canada? You can use a VPN to come home and unblock BBC iPlayer, meaning you can watch the show wherever you are. We recommend NordVPN
How to watch the 2025 CMA Awards online in Australia
Stan is the first port of call for Australians when it comes to watching this year’s CMA Awards. The streamer will broadcast the country music event live on Thursday November 20 has 12pm AEDT.
It no longer offers a free trial. However, 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 and watch BBC iPlayer the 2025 CMA Awards free from abroad.
CMA 2025 awards to know
2025 CMA Awards Trailer
2025 CMA Awards Nominees
There are thirteen categories in total at this year’s CMA Awards. A few along with the nominees can be found below. The full list is available here:
Artist of the year
- Luc Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Album of the year
- Am I okay? -Megane Moroney
- Cold beer and country music — Zach Haut
- F-1 billion —Post Malone
- I am the problem -Morgan Wallen
- Whirlwind -Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luc Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Top Zach
- Morgan Wallen
Female singer of the year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Vocal Group of the Year
- Lady A
- Small big city
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Wanderers
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 Seem to Like 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 an assortment of stars to the CMA Awards podium. These include Hollywood star Steve Martin, Oscar-nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton, 2000s R&B hitmaker NE-YO, Elizabeth Hurley, Billy Ray Cyrus and Bailey Zimmerman, in addition to ReachIt’s Alan Ritchson, stand-up 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 abroad. We do not support or condone illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consumption of paid pirated content is not endorsed or endorsed by Future Publishing.
