Taylor Swift confirms her return to the CMA Awards after ten years away

Taylor Swift will return to the CMA Awards on November 18, 2026, in Nashville, ten years after her last appearance at the prestigious American country music ceremony. The singer confirmed her attendance on Thursday, September 10, just hours after the announcement of her nomination for Single of the Year for “I Knew It, I Knew You.”

The 36-year-old star shared the CMA Awards and ABC’s post announcing her selection on Instagram. Her return is highly anticipated: Taylor Swift has not attended the ceremony since 2016, when she presented the Artist of the Year award to Garth Brooks.

“I Knew It, I Knew You,” written for the soundtrack of Toy Story 5, marks a renewed connection for Taylor Swift with her country roots. The track, produced by the singer alongside Jack Antonoff and mixed by Laura Sisk, is among the five singles nominated for the 2026 edition.

In this category, Taylor Swift will compete against Ella Langley with “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas,” Lainey Wilson with “Somewhere Over Laredo,” and Cody Johnson with “The Fall.” The nominations were revealed on Thursday by the Country Music Association.

A notable return to country music

This nomination comes just days after Taylor Swift topped the American country radio charts. “I Knew It, I Knew You” reached number one on the country format in the United States, a feat she had not achieved in thirteen years.

Before becoming one of the biggest pop stars in the world, Taylor Swift launched her career in Nashville. She won the Artist of the Year award at the CMA Awards in 2009 and again in 2011, after receiving the Horizon Award in 2007 at the start of her rise.

The 60th edition of the CMA Awards will be hosted by Lainey Wilson and will take place on Wednesday, November 18, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The ceremony will be broadcast in the United States on ABC and Disney+, with availability on Hulu the following day.