CNN To Broadcast Farm Aid 2026 Live With Willie Nelson & Neil Young

Music icons are hitting cable television once again for a massive charitable cause. CNN has officially confirmed plans to air the upcoming Farm Aid concert event live for viewers nationwide this autumn. The celebrated annual benefit, which advocates for independent agricultural operators across America, is renewing its prime-time broadcasting partnership after delivering strong viewership during its previous television special. The expansive four-hour television presentation is scheduled to broadcast live on Saturday, Sept. 26. Programming will kick off at 7 p.m. ET and run straight through 11 p.m. ET. Audiences without traditional cable subscriptions will not miss out on the action, as the network plans to offer simultaneous online streams through its main website alongside its official mobile app.

where to watch farm aid 2026 live stream The music lineup boasts a powerhouse collection of iconic performers who have anchored the charitable cause for several decades. Country legend Willie Nelson will top the bill alongside fellow rock stalwarts Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews. Every single one of these board members is set to perform live during the prime-time telecast, bringing their timeless catalog of hits to millions of homes. First launched in 1985, Farm Aid was created to mobilize financial resources and drive national attention toward small family farms facing economic hardship. Throughout its impressive nearly 40-year history, the non-profit organization has raised tens of millions of dollars to support rural agricultural workers while staging some of the most memorable live collaborations in American music history.

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who is performing at farm aid 2026 Beyond the core set of veteran rock and country founders, additional musical acts, special guests, and industry speakers will be announced in the coming months as the festival date gets closer. The network's commitment to delivering a multi-hour live musical event reflects a renewed appetite for real-time entertainment spectacles on cable television. Dedicated prime-time coverage offers home audiences an intimate front-row experience for one of the longest-running charity festivals in pop culture history. Viewers can prepare for an evening packed with live performances, musician speeches, and fundraising updates when the telecast hits screens late this September.