Country music fans across North America are in for a treat as the 2025 and 2026 live music calendar fills up with an impressive lineup of tours from some of the genre’s biggest names. From bluegrass virtuoso Billy Strings announcing his much-anticipated winter tour to Morgan Wallen’s blockbuster stadium shows and a slew of other country stars hitting the road, the coming months promise a vibrant celebration of country music’s diversity and enduring appeal.
According to a recent comprehensive roundup published by Taste of Country on September 16, 2025, the country music touring scene is more active than ever. The list details ongoing tours, upcoming residencies, and newly announced dates, ensuring fans can catch their favorite artists from coast to coast. Notably, the schedule features a blend of established icons and hot newcomers, with acts like Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Scotty McCreery, Phil Vassar, and Riley Green all gearing up for headline runs.
One of the most talked-about announcements comes from Billy Strings, the Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist who has steadily grown from roots festival favorite to arena headliner. Strings revealed a nine-show winter tour for 2026, focusing on the Southeast and hitting major cities that have become annual staples on his touring map. The run kicks off with two nights at the University of Georgia campus in Athens on February 6 and 7, marking Strings’ first visit to Athens in three years and his debut at the newly opened Akins Ford Arena. The venue, which opened in December 2024, boasts a 7,000-seat capacity and is home to the Athens Rock Lobsters minor league hockey team, making it a significant upgrade from Strings’ last Athens appearance at the much smaller George Theatre in 2023.
After Athens, Strings and his band—Billy Failing (banjo), Royal Masat (bass), Jarrod Walker (mandolin), and recent Americana Honors Instrumentalist of the Year Alex Hargreaves (fiddle)—head to Asheville, North Carolina, for a four-night stand at the 7,674-capacity ExploreAsheville.com Arena. Shows are scheduled for February 10, 11, 13, and 14, cementing Strings’ February Asheville visits as an eagerly awaited tradition. Last year, his concerts in Asheville brought a much-needed economic boost, injecting $15 million into the local economy in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, as reported by Live For Live Music.
The tour wraps up in Nashville, Tennessee, with two shows at the massive Bridgestone Arena (February 20 and 21) and a final, more intimate performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium on February 22. The Ryman show is particularly special, as fans must purchase Bridgestone tickets to request entry, and Strings is known for curating unique Sunday themes—ranging from tributes to MTV Unplugged to evenings of traditional bluegrass spirituals. Strings just recently completed a celebrated two-night stand at the Ryman, joined by bluegrass legends Béla Fleck and Sam Bush, further solidifying his place among the genre’s elite.
Tickets for the 2026 Billy Strings winter tour will be available via a pre-sale starting Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 10 a.m. local time, with general sales opening on Friday, September 19, at 10 a.m. local time through his website and Ticketmaster. Eager fans are encouraged to sign up early, as Strings’ shows have developed a reputation for selling out quickly.
Meanwhile, Morgan Wallen’s “I’m The Problem Tour” has been making headlines for its electrifying walk-outs and star-studded guest appearances. As detailed by Music Mayhem, Wallen, now 32, has turned his walk from the tour bus to the stage into a nightly spectacle. Sometimes he makes the trek solo, but more often, he’s joined by surprise guests ranging from music superstars like Drake and Kid Rock to sports legends such as Brett Favre, Roger Clemens, and Connor McDavid. Wallen’s walk-outs are typically soundtracked by fan-favorite tracks like “Broadway Girls,” “Interlude,” or “Miami” featuring Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, with the crowd watching his journey on venue screens and the energy in the arena building to a fever pitch.
“The walk-outs are just… the energy that comes from those could just last you, I mean, maybe not the entire show, but it’ll last you awhile and then once you get out there and compound the energy that comes along with the actual show. It’s a rush,” Wallen admitted during a recent appearance on the This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von podcast.
The tour’s 20-date run has touched down in major stadiums across the U.S. and Canada, including Houston’s NRG Stadium, Miami Gardens’ Hard Rock Stadium, Glendale’s State Farm Stadium, Seattle’s Lumen Field, and Toronto’s Rogers Centre. Each city brought its own memorable moments: Drake and Roger Clemens joined Wallen in Houston, Brett Favre appeared in Madison, Wisconsin, and David Spade—channeling his “Joe Dirt” persona—walked out in Glendale. In Edmonton, Alberta, Wallen closed out the tour with his full band, featuring Mark Taco Annino (drums), Luke Cowboy Rice (bass/guitar), Tyler Tomlinson (guitar/vocals), Dominic Frost (guitar/vocals), Tony Aichele (aux/guitar/pedal steel), and Chris Gladden (aux/keys).
Wallen’s innovative approach to live performance has not only thrilled fans but set a new standard for country tour production, blending high-profile cameos with a sense of unpredictability and fun. As Music Mayhem notes, each walk-out became a viral moment, with fans speculating who might appear next and sharing clips across social media.
Beyond Strings and Wallen, the country touring scene is bustling with activity. According to Taste of Country, ongoing 2025 tours include Hardy’s Jim Bob Tour (through September 24), Jason Aldean’s Full Throttle Tour (through October 4), Gabby Barrett’s Life I’m Living Tour (through October 5), and Thomas Rhett’s Better in Boots Tour (through October 9). Other notable names like Keith Urban, Parker McCollum, Jordan Davis, Cole Swindell, Phil Vassar, Clay Walker, Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Brett Young, Eric Church, Zach Top, Warren Zeiders, Sam Barber, Stephen Wilson Jr, and Larry Fleet are all on the road through late fall or early winter.
Looking ahead to 2026, the calendar is already filling up. Blake Shelton’s Live In Las Vegas residency runs from January 15 to January 31, while Rascal Flatts’ Life Is a Highway Tour stretches through February 28. Bailey Zimmerman’s Different Night Same Rodeo Tour begins February 19 and continues through June 20, and Riley Green’s Cowboy as It Gets Tour is set from April 16 to August 22. The list is frequently updated, reflecting the ever-evolving nature of the live music industry, with new tours, rescheduled dates, and festival lineups announced regularly.
What’s striking about the current country music landscape is the blend of generations and styles sharing the stage. As Taste of Country highlights, ’90s country icons like Phil Vassar and Clay Walker are touring alongside a new wave of artists, ensuring that fans of all ages and tastes can find something to love. Whether it’s the high-energy spectacle of a stadium show, the intimacy of a legendary venue like the Ryman, or the communal spirit of a summer festival, country music’s live experience remains a powerful draw.
With ticket sales already underway and anticipation building, the 2025-2026 country music tour season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. For fans, the message is clear: dust off those boots and get ready to hit the road—country’s biggest stars are coming to a city near you.