Taylor Swift is set to return to the CMA Awards in 2026, marking her first appearance at the country music ceremony in a decade. The global superstar confirmed that she will attend the 60th annual CMA Awards after receiving a nomination for Single of the Year.
Swift earned the nomination for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” an original song written for Toy Story 5. The recognition marks another connection between the singer and the country music world, where she began her career before becoming one of the biggest names in pop music.
The 2026 CMA Awards nominations were announced on September 10. Swift later confirmed her attendance through Instagram, sharing the nomination announcement and telling fans she would see them in Nashville on November 18.
Her return is particularly notable because Swift has not attended the CMA Awards since November 2016. At that ceremony, she made a surprise appearance to present Garth Brooks with the Entertainer of the Year award.
Taylor Swift Earns CMA Awards Nomination
Swift’s latest nomination is her first at the CMA Awards since 2022, when she and Chris Stapleton were recognised in the Video of the Year category for their collaboration “I Bet You Think About Me.”
Her most recent competitive CMA win came in 2017. Swift received Song of the Year recognition as the songwriter behind Little Big Town’s “Better Man.” She later recorded her own version of the song for Red (Taylor’s Version).
The 2026 nomination once again places Swift alongside leading names in country music, despite the major shift in her career from country to pop and other musical styles.
Song Written for Toy Story 5
“I Knew It, I Knew You” was written for Toy Story 5 from the perspective of Jessie, the cowgirl character from the animated franchise.
Swift worked on the track with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff. Reports have said the singer wrote the song after attending an early screening of the film, completing the work within several hours.
The song has also gained attention on country radio. It recently reached No. 1 on US country radio, giving Swift her first chart-topper on the format in more than a decade.
The achievement highlights the continuing influence of Swift’s country roots. Although she moved into pop music and became a global superstar, her connection to country music remains an important part of her career story.
Strong Competition for Single of the Year
Swift faces a competitive field in the Single of the Year category. Her fellow nominees include Ella Langley’s “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas,” Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” and Cody Johnson’s “The Fall.”
Langley is one of the ceremony’s leading nominees this year, earning nine nominations overall. She is also among the nominees for Entertainer of the Year, alongside Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Lainey Wilson.
Miranda Lambert is another major contender, receiving seven nominations. The ceremony is expected to bring together many of the biggest names in country music, making Swift’s return one of the notable storylines of the night.
Taylor Swift’s CMA Awards History
Swift’s relationship with the CMA Awards dates back to the early years of her career. She has collected numerous honours at the ceremony, including Entertainer of the Year wins in 2009 and 2011.
Those early achievements helped establish Swift as one of country music’s most prominent young stars before her music increasingly moved toward pop.
Her appearance at the 2026 ceremony therefore represents more than a return by a major celebrity. It reconnects Swift with an awards show that played an important role in the early stages of her career.
The 60th annual CMA Awards will take place at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 18. The ceremony will air live on ABC and Disney+, with a next-day encore on Hulu.
Whether Swift takes home Single of the Year or not, her return is expected to attract considerable attention. After a decade away from the CMA stage, the superstar is once again part of one of country music’s biggest nights.