FAQs

General CMA Music Festival Details

2010 Dates & Location

Thursday-Sunday, June 10-13, 2010
Nashville, TN: Assorted Downtown Nashville venues including LP Field (Nightly Concerts), Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts), Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall), Bridgestone Arena (Registration) and more.

Top

2011 Dates

Thursday-Sunday, June 9-12, 2011

Top

2011 Ticket Renewal Program

Update: Ticket renewals for the 2011 CMA Music Festival will be available for all 2010 four-day ticket holders. Renewal forms will be emailed in July 2010, and all 2010 four-day ticket holders will have an exclusive window to renew their seats for 2011 before the nationwide on-sale later this summer.

Be sure your e-mail address is current with the Box Office. Call 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378).

(This does not apply if you order from a tour group.)

Top

Connect to CMA Music Festival

CMA Exclusive Email List: Be the first to know exclusive info, get deals and more

CMA MOB Mobile Phone List: Mobile alerts about CMA events and top Country Music news. Text CMAINFO to 66937 to join.

Facebook | Twitter | MySpace

Top

Event History

This event launched in 1972. Originally known as Fan Fair®, the very first Festival was attended by 5,000 people and was held at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium. The event moved to the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in 1982, then to Downtown Nashville in 2001. The 2009 Festival attracted a record attendance of more than 56,000 people per day.

In 2004, the CMA Music Festival was chronicled in a 2-hour primetime, network TV special on CBS. The following year the TV special - now known as “CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock” - jumped to ABC, where it has aired annually ever since. In 2009 the special grew to be 3 hours long.

Learn more about the history and heritage of the CMA Music Festival.

Top

Helpful Links

• Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau
• NowPlayingNashville.com

Top

Sponsorship & Exhibit Opportunities

The ULTIMATE Country Music Fan Experience with the ULTIMATE Opportunity for Consumer Engagement! Learn more.

Top

Band/Booking Submissions

CMA Music Festival receives much interest and many submissions from outstanding talent seeking to play the event. To be considered, please submit a request and any support materials to Stages@CMAworld.com. Submissions are accepted annually, Jan. 1-April 30. While not all entrants will receive a reply, all submissions are given full consideration.

Top

Traveling to the Festival

Hotel & Travel Packages

Looking for available hotel accommodations or an all-in-one travel package? Visit our Hotels/Packages page.

Top

Nashville Transport & Parking

Coming into Downtown Nashville from outlying areas? Or need parking details? Hit up the Parking/Transit page.

Top

Attending the 2010 Festival

Receiving Your 2010 Four-Day Tickets

CMA Music Festival Registration Packages will be delivered in mid-May 2010 (before Memorial Day weekend) using FedEx 3-day service.

• In order to receive your package in plenty of time, it is very important to provide a valid and current "Ship To" address when ordering. Address changes will be accepted until Monday, April 12, 2010. After this date, the Box Office is unable to accept address changes.
• Once the registration packages are shipped, customers requesting to re-route their package to another address will be charged an additional handling fee of $12.00 (this includes any packages delivered to a forwarding address).
• Registration packages for all new orders placed after April 12, 2010 will not be mailed out. These orders must be picked-up at Registration inside the Bridgestone Arena (formerly Sommet Center) beginning Wednesday, June 9, 2010.
• To change and/or update your "Ship To" address before April 12, 2010, please call the CMA Music Festival Box Office toll-free at 1-800-CMA-FEST (262-3378) or email the change to CMAfest@powersmgmt.com. This email address is for address changes only. You will receive a confirmation from this email address once the change is completed.
• If you provided a P.O. Box address when ordering your tickets or have an international address, including Canada, your tickets will be held for pickup onsite at Registration inside the Bridgestone Arena.

Top

On-Site Event Registration

Fans who ordered tickets prior to April 12, 2010, should have received their ticket mailout in late May. These fans are welcome to visit Registration during the hours below for their Registration Bag, Pocket Guide and more.

Fans who ordered after the April 12, 2010, mailing cut-off; who ordered using a P.O. Box or international address; or who received Ticketmaster thermal tickets as part of a promotion or contest, must visit Registration to receive their four-day laminate, plus Registration Bag, Pocket Guide and more.

• Wednesday, June 9: 9 AM - 5 PM
• Thursday, June 10: 9 AM - 6 PM
• Friday-Sunday, June 11-13: 9:30 AM - 6 PM

Top

Autograph Signings Schedule, Process & Hints

Schedule Info

For the first time ever, select autograph signing schedule information for the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall will be available ahead of time! To get the latest updates, you’ll want to be sure you’re in the CMA FEST MOB by texting the word SCHEDULE to 66937. The schedule info will be disclosed much closer to Festival time.

Artists and times are subject to change. It is recommended to ALWAYS verify the schedule with the Exhibit Booth staff on-site, just as you would with an airplane flight.

Process Info & Helpful Hints

• Exhibitors are advised to distribute a pre-determined number of tickets from their booth at the beginning of each day.
• Tickets enable fans to do/see other things instead of waiting in line all day.
• The number of tickets distributed is directly associated to how much time each artist will be signing.
• Artist signing times are LIMITED, so unfortunately not everyone attending the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall will receive an autograph from each artist.
• Everyone is excited to meet their favorite artist. However, please be considerate of your fellow attendees and - for safety reasons - do not push, run or shove. We appreciate your thoughtfulness.
• Keep your camera ready, as you never know what artist might walk by!
• For scheduling updates onsite during the 2010 CMA Music Festival, text SCHEDULE to 66937. Artists and times are subject to change.

Top

Fan Photo Lines

The Fan Photo Lines are the areas of fans that pass directly in front of the stages at LP Field (Nightly Concerts) and Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts). Access to the Fan Photo Lines gets you right in front of the stage for a picture of your favorite artist performing up close, and is available to all four-day ticket holders no matter where your seats are located at LP Field!

Please note that Fan Photo Lines access is reserved ONLY for four-day ticket holders.

Due to Photo Line demand and volume of participants, the line must be kept moving to accommodate all eligible fans. Event staff and signage will be onsite to assist in this process.

Top

Event Schedule Changes

To stay up to date on scheduling changes (e.g. performance delays, additions or cancellations) while on site at the 2010 CMA Music Festival, text the word SCHEDULE to 66937. In addition to timely updates on schedule modifications, you’ll receive updates on autograph signing times!

Top

Information Booths

Need help navigating the Festival grounds while in Nashville? Look for these official Information Booths:

• Bridgestone Arena (Registration & Box Office)
• Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue)
• Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue)
• Family Zone
• Sports Zone

Top

ADA Access

LP Field (Nightly Concerts venue)

The entire facility is ADA compliant. Space is available for wheelchair patrons and associated companion seats. Limited accessible parking spaces are available at LP Field and are sold through the Box Office (1-800-CMA-FEST/1-800-262-3378) as an added option with your ticket price. To enter the photo line, please ask Event Staff.

Riverfront Park (Daytime Concerts venue)

All entrances and paths of travel are accessible. In certain locations, temporary ramps have been installed to aid in accessibility. There will be an accessible seating area just to the right of center stage along the sidewalk at the top of the Park. All food and beverage vendors have been asked to provide accessible countertops or an alternate ordering area. Each bank of portable toilets will include several accessible portable toilets.

Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue)

Only attendees with physical challenges plus one companion will be able to utilize an easy-access entrance. Please enter at the large green doors on the Broadway Street side of the Nashville Convention Center (near Broadway & 5th Avenue). A security guard will be there to check your ticket for admittance. Once inside you will be directed to the Main Lobby. As with all entrances into the facility, this entrance will not be open until 8:30 AM. For safety reasons, physically challenged attendees will be able to enter the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall 5 minutes early each day, with one companion only.

The Nashville Convention Center complies with all federal ADA laws. Should attendees require special assistance and or services such as listening devices, wheelchairs, lifts, text telephones or stage ramps, please contact the Nashville Convention Center ADA coordinator: (615) 742-2000.

Top

Re-Entry/Ins & Outs

Re-Entry ALLOWED

• Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue) during assigned venue operation hours
• Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue) during assigned venue operation hours

Re-Entry PROHIBITED

• LP Field (Nightly Concerts venue) - There is no re-entry allowed at LP Field.

Top

Allowed/Prohibited Items

LP Field (Nightly Concerts venue)

• YES Binoculars
• YES Non-professional cameras
• YES Handheld signs that are non-offensive and do not block the view of other fans
• NO Umbrellas
• NO Tailgating

Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue)

• YES Low-sitting lawn chairs
• YES Sunscreen
• YES Beach Towel/Blanket
• YES Small handheld umbrellas
• YES Non-professional cameras
• YES Infant carriers
• NO Baby strollers

Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue)

• YES Comfortable shoes
• YES Non-professional cameras
• Strollers/infant carriers are not recommended

Prohibited Items at All Venues

• Air horns
• Alcohol (from outside)
• Audio or video recording devices (audio and visual recording will NOT be allowed on digital cameras or cell phones)
• Bags (other than pocket books or purses)
• Beach Balls
• Bottles
• Coolers
• Dangerous devices
• Drugs
• Fireworks
• Frisbees
• Large Backpacks - those exceeding 15 inches tall
• Laser pointers
• Outside food and beverage
• Pets (except for service dogs)
• Stickers
• Weapons

CMA Music Festival reserves the right to refuse admittance (with refund of admission) to ticket holders who refuse to allow inspection of their purse/package when entering each venue.

** PLEASE NOTE there are NO check-in services or storage lockers available at the Festival.

Top

Food & Beverage

A variety of concessions are available for purchase at all CMA Music Festival venues and events. Most of these concessions will accept credit cards (except Upper-Level sections at LP Field). For those that do not, note there are ATMs located throughout downtown, at the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall, and at LP Field.

NOTE: LP Field concession stands now accept credit cards in Lower-Level and Club-Level sections; however the Upper-Level concession stands accept cash only. ATM machines are available in the North End Zone, in the Club Level on both sides, and inside the Titan’s Team Store on the main level.

Top

Venue Shuttle Service

Complimentary Downtown shuttles will run daily between LP Field (Nightly Concerts), Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts), the Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall), and the outdoor Zones.

• This service is provided to four-day ticket holders only. Check the Parking/Transit page to see the shuttle map and running times.
• There are several wheelchair-accessible buses. Please ask the attendant at the bus stop for assistance.

Top

Merchandise

Online store: CMA Music Festival store

On-site booths:

• Bridgestone Arena (Registration & Box Office)
• Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue)
• Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall)
• LP Field (Nightly Concerts Venue)
• Family Zone
• Sports Zone

All locations accept major credit cards.

Top

Lost & Found

LP Field (Nightly Concerts venue)

Lost items turned in will be held at the North End Zone behind section 145 in the Fan Accommodations area. Items will be held for 180 days. You may also call the automated Lost-and-Found hotline (615) 565-4217, available 24 hours a day.

Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue)

The CMA Information Booth at Riverfront

Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue)

Room 102, inside the Nashville Convention Center

Top

Safety & Medical

We make every effort to create a safe environment on the Festival grounds, including the provision of public and private security and medical staff. If you need any assistance, seek out the First Aid locations listed below, or look for a Festival Staff Member wearing an Event Staff shirt.

• LP Field (Nightly Concerts venue) - Main concourse (northeast and northwest corners)
• Riverfront Park (Daily Concerts venue) - Directly outside main gate
• Nashville Convention Center (Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall venue) - Level One

Top

Miscellaneous Festival Week Events

Many Country Music-themed events are scheduled throughout the same week that the 2010 CMA Music Festival is held. Please note that any event NOT listed as part of the Four-Day ticket package requires a SEPARATE TICKET. A partial list of these events includes:

• City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge (6/7/10)
• 2010 CMT Music Awards
• Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam (6/9/10)

Top

Web Site Disclaimer

Country Music Association, Inc. (CMA) does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of the information posted on this or any other page of any CMA Web site or any Web site to which this Web site is linked. CMA does not authorize or recommend the use of any such information for any purpose other than your convenience and personal use. CMA does not recommend vacation, tour or travel arrangements. Nothing on this page of this CMA Web site constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation to buy any tour packages from any of the listed operators. Nothing contained in the CMA Web sites is intended to constitute professional advice or recommendation.