How does this work?
Our family has been packaging CMA Fest (originally FanFair) since it’s start in 1972 and we try and keep things simple. If you are new to using our company for CMA Fest, or completely new to CMA Fest, below you will find our suggestions for getting the best package to fit your needs.
General CMA Info for thought
- CMA Fest starts on Thursday ( almost always 10 days after the last Monday in May, US Memorial Day) at 10am, for 2023, that date is June 8, and runs through Sunday night at approximately midnight
- The Fest is four FULL days. Activities that are included in the four day pass start about 10am each morning and last near midnight each night, Thursday through Sunday
- There is A LOT of walking at CMA Fest. Most people will get in excess of 15,000 steps in a day and the weather is usually warm. Something to be aware of when considering a package and lodging
- There are multiple stages downtown that operate during the daytime. These are usually general admission seating, subject to capacity levels at peak times
- The only reserved seat for the Festival is for the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium
- The inclusions in the Four night stadium pass included in your package are subject to change by CMA Fest at any time
STEP ONE
Choose where you want to stay
When you consider where you want to stay for CMA Fest, there are several things to consider. CMA Fest is based around several venues but all of them are located in the downtown area of Nashville. The venues are spread out from the Cumberland River to the Music City Center which houses Fan Fair X during the day, then you go across the river to Nissan Stadium for the featured nightly concerts with the top names in country music. Because of this, downtown hotel properties, especially those in the “SoBro” (South of Broadway) area of Nashville are considered the most desirable. They are more expensive but the convenience, especially in the heat of Summer in the South, is hard to beat. We do feature hotel options in the Opryland area located about 12 miles from downtown (20 minutes or more depending on traffic). These offer a more affordable option and from these properties there is an available shuttle to downtown.
If you are driving in to town, please note that there is a charge for parking at all hotels except The Inn at Opryland. All other hotels charge for parking and the cost is usually between $40-$60 a day. That is a charge you pay directly to the hotel and we do not include it in any packages.
Once you choose which of these options are best for you, narrow your choices by what properties have to offer in room amenities or property features.
STEP TWO
Choose when you want to arrive
CMA Fest starts Thursday morning and runs through Sunday evening. All of our packages are a minimum four nights and must include Thursday through Sunday.
50 percent or more of our customers will arrive on Wednesday or earlier. Thursday-Sunday are so packed with activities included in your 4 Day Pass, that many choose to come earlier so they can get the lay of the land and be ready to go first thing Thursday morning as lines start early for Riverfront stage and Fan Fair X. Stars start having fan club parties as early as Monday, the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night is usually one of the best line ups of the year, and Wednesday there are always lots of great entertainment options and activities and stars downtown. We even have a few customers that like to stay over an extra day on the back end for a little r & r.
STEP THREE
Choose where you want to sit
Where you want to sit for the reserved seat nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium is as personal a choice as any in this process, and there are several things to consider. First let me say, this is an NFL football stadium. It is huge for a concert, but the stage is very big, set about the normal 15 yard line on the North end of the field, and it has a HUGE screen on each side of the stage. For the most part, no matter where you sit, you will spend most of the evening enjoying the great music, swaying along with your friends, and watching the big screens on either side of the stage. During the festival they are filming a TV special, so there are a lot of great camera shots on those screens.
Seating choices and pro’s and cons
(Lower Level seating – Sections 111-136 are included in our package prices)
Seating chart
Please Note – beginning in 2022 all CMA Fest tickets are digital and require a smart phone for entry
Field Level Sections 1-6 – The first 6 sections on the football field in front of the stage. These seats are a $350 premium upgrade to our packages and we do not have many as they are the best seats for the Fest. These will likely sell out for us in our pre-sale to previous years customers. If you like to stand up during the performances, sing and sway, these are a great option. A little livelier crowd than most other areas in the stadium, a longer walk to refreshments or the bathrooms as well.
Field Level Sections 7-14 – These are the next level of sections across the football field. These seats are a $200 per person upgrade to our standard packaging, are just as fun and have the same amenities and issues as the Sections 1-6 seating, just a little further back. There is also a wheelchair ramp on the Floor Level offering great views.
Field Level Sections 15-21 – These are the last level of sections across the football field. These seats are a $100 per person upgrade to our standard packaging, are just as fun and have the same amenities and issues as the other field seating, just a little further back.
Keep in mind all Field Level seating is in folding chairs on a flat football field. If a 6’5′ person stands in front of you, seeing the stage can be a problem, but typically you can still see the screens. Also of note on the field is the lower your seat number, the closer you are to the center of the field in that section.
LOWER LEVEL – Our standard level of pricing includes Lower Level seating. These are chair backed stadium seats, with each row being elevated slightly above the row in front of it. Rows start at A and go back to usually HH with no “i” or “o”. Lower Level sections are 110-137, have relatively easy access to bathrooms and concessions. In these sections, most will stand for performances, some won’t.
CLUB LEVEL – The Club Level is like a balcony above and behind the Lower Level and are a $100 per person premium in our packages. You are higher up in the stadium, typically a little more shall we say settled crowd, but a great place to take in the music and the whole atmosphere of the concerts. The Club Level also has access to air conditioned vestibule with concessions and restrooms. Again, these are sections 210-237, and start with row A and go up from there.
UPPER LEVEL – We do not offer any seating in the 300 level.
Notes for Lower, Club, and Upper Level seating – As you look at the stadium from the stage, seat one will be to the left of the section and the higher numbers (not all rows have the same number of seats) will be to the right. Aisle seats go faster than middle row seats, but I have sat in both and if you don’t go to the bathroom or concession stand often, I recommend the middle of the rows, otherwise you are getting up and down to let people in and out all the time.
STEP FOUR
Options to consider for your package
For all guests to consider –
Grand Ole Opry – Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 7pm – $120 per person – The Grand Ole Opry is celebrating it’s 98th consecutive year of live radio shows on WSM radio (and now on XM/Sirius). It is the show that made country music famous and popular, and the show on Tuesday of CMA Fest week is usually a star studded line up. We order our tickets for this show a year in advance and will have very good seats. If you are in town, we highly recommend this option for your package.
Opry Country Classics – Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 3pm – $100 per person – This show is a version of the Grand Ole Opry celebrating the best country music through the decades and it is located in the “mother church” of country music, the Ryman Auditorium. Again, we purchased our seats more than a year in advance, so you are assured to have good seats for this afternoon show
For Opryland Area Guests –
4 Day Shuttle Pass – $120 per person – The Opryland area hotels are 12 miles from downtown where CMA Fest is based. We believe the smartest option for traveling back and forth is this shuttle pass. They run continuously from Gaylord Opryland Hotel and The Inn at Opryland to downtown Wednesday through Sunday and the cost is just $120 per person. For less than the cost of two cab rides back and forth to downtown, this shuttle will take care of getting you back and forth without you having to worry about traffic, directions, or whether or not you can enjoy another adult beverage. (WE SELL THIS EXCLUSIVLEY TO OUR PACKAGE HOLDERS – NOT SOLD THROUGH THE HOTELS )
Nissan Stadium 4 Day parking pass – $120 – Parking downtown can be expensive and for those that like the freedom of driving, this is a great option, and allows daytime in and outs. After about 4pm in the afternoon, they scan the pass preventing re-entry. Note there is no overnight parking or tailgating.
STEP FIVE
Make your reservation to join in on the fun!
Now you have the information you need to make the best choices, so what do you do now? Make your reservation.