Saskatoon to Host 50th-Anniversary Country Music Week and CCMA Awards in September 2026
Country Music Week will return to Saskatoon from September 16 to 19, 2026, marking the Canadian Country Music Association’s (CCMA) 50th anniversary. The week culminates in the CCMA Awards ceremony on Sunday night at SaskTel Centre.
The CCMA, founded in 1976, has organized the Canadian Country Music Awards since 1982 and hosts an annual Country Music Week that rotates among Canadian cities. Saskatoon, the province’s largest city, previously hosted the awards in 2012 and was chosen again because of Saskatchewan’s long‑standing contribution to the genre.
CCMA president Amy Jeninga explained that the week is designed to celebrate “every part of the Canadian country music industry, from established stars and emerging artists to songwriters, fans and industry professionals.” She added, “It’s a really unique opportunity to have so many artists in the community at one time. It allows us to put together some exciting fan‑facing events and engage the entire community.”
The schedule includes a fan festival with a Legends Show, a Songwriters Unplugged series presented by SOCAN and Apple Music, and a series of workshops and networking sessions for industry members. The Legends Show has already sold out, prompting the addition of a new performance to meet demand. Songwriters Unplugged offers audiences the chance to hear the stories behind Canada’s biggest country hits directly from the creators.
Tickets for the awards show are on sale, with a limited number of VIP packages that grant red‑carpet access and the opportunity to hold a CCMA award. The week also features a fan‑fest component that encourages local engagement.
Jeninga noted that the event will draw thousands of visitors from west central Saskatchewan and beyond. “There are so many incredible artists across Saskatchewan and so many incredible country fans,” she said. “It was really a natural place for us to want to go and celebrate.”
The economic impact of Country Music Week is significant. Previous iterations in Saskatoon generated more than $17 million in local spending, according to the CCMA. The revenue comes from hotel stays, restaurant visits, and other tourist expenditures.
The awards ceremony will take place at SaskTel Centre, an arena that opened in 1988 and serves as the home venue for several local sports teams. The venue’s capacity and location make it a fitting stage for the country music community.
Jeninga emphasized the genre’s current growth, stating, “Country music has really always been rooted in storytelling. Right now audiences are connecting with artists that feel that genuine nature of writing about real life.” She also highlighted the blending of traditional country sounds with pop and rock influences, which broadens the audience.
The CCMA’s 50th anniversary underscores five decades of supporting Canadian country artists and fostering industry connections. “So that’s 50 years of supporting the overall industry and creating a lot of connections and moments,” Jeninga said.
Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the awards broadcast on CTV and stream the event on Crave.
The week’s schedule, ticketing information, and additional fan‑experience details will be released throughout August. The CCMA has indicated that further fan events will be announced as the dates approach.
Saskatoon’s role as host reaffirms the city’s status as a cultural hub in central Saskatchewan and highlights the province’s ongoing contribution to Canada’s country music scene.
