2013 CMA Music Festival Sets New Attendance Record With 80,000 Fans

The increase was attributed to expanding the event into the new Music City Center, which was dubbed the AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X. The new venue nearly tripled the size of the former space in the Nashville Convention Center creating room for new exhibits, additional stages, and attractions for families in the Keep the Kids Playing Pavilion.

“This event has a global reputation as the destination for any Country Music fan,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The support we receive from our industry and the dedication of our fans is unduplicated. Each year we strive to improve and enhance the event for our attendees and the artists – and this is undeniably our best CMA Music Festival ever!”

Attendance figures for 2013 include four-day ticket packages and promotional tickets, as well as attendance in Fan Fair X, and free areas downtown. In all, more than 450 artists and celebrities participated in more than 200 hours of concerts on a record 11 different stages.

Week-long mild temperatures in Nashville resulted in increased attendance in the numerous free areas including The Buckle, Fan Alley, public events, and concert venues. In fact, there was record attendance on opening day at Chevrolet Riverfront Stage with more than 44,000 fans passing through the gates for the free concerts on the sloping bank of the Cumberland River. Crowds for the new Transitions Performance Park were strong and attendance at the Bud Light Stage on the Bridgestone Arena Plaza increased over 2012. The BMI Tailgate Party stage at LP Field, which debuted in 2012, was bustling each evening as crowds entered the stadium for the Nightly Concerts.