News Summary
The Country Thunder music festival is confirmed to be absent from Bristol Motor Speedway’s lineup in 2025. This decision comes after years of showcasing top country artists and attracting large crowds. BMS remains open to hosting the festival in future years while preparing for other events, including a Tim McGraw concert. Local tourism representatives express optimism about new and recurring events to mitigate potential economic impacts from the festival’s absence.
Bristol, Tennessee – The Country Thunder music festival will not be returning to the Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS) in 2025, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the venue on May 12, 2025. This decision comes after a successful run of the festival in previous years, which featured major country music artists and drew significant crowds.
Bristol Motor Speedway hosted Country Thunder for several editions, showcasing performances from acclaimed artists such as Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, HARDY, Morgan Wallen, and Jelly Roll. The absence of the festival in 2025 is attributed to a variety of factors, with BMS issuing a statement underlining the dynamic nature of its event schedule, which changes annually.
Despite Country Thunder’s non-return in 2025, Bristol Motor Speedway has expressed an openness to welcome the festival back in the future if scheduling allows. In the meantime, the venue is preparing for other events, including a performance by country superstar Tim McGraw prior to the MLB Speedway Classic on August 2, 2025. Tickets for this event are currently available for purchase.
Alicia Phelps, who serves as the Director of the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association, commented on the situation, stating that Country Thunder Festivals is always welcome back, citing the quality of their staff and marketing efforts. Phelps also highlighted that the festival’s absence will be mitigated by a variety of new and recurring events aimed at offsetting any potential economic impact resulting from the lack of Country Thunder in 2025.
Recent years have seen Country Thunder attract large audiences to Bristol Motor Speedway, with attendance figures often reaching around 30,000 attendees per day. Economic impact projections suggest that the array of new events planned for the upcoming year may compensate for the absence of Country Thunder, ensuring continued engagement and activity in the region.
As Bristol Motor Speedway pivots to new offerings, they emphasize their commitment to providing unforgettable experiences for their guests. The arena’s reputation for hosting major events aims to maintain momentum despite the festival’s temporary exit from their lineup. While Country Thunder will not take place in 2025, the venue remains proactive in curating a robust calendar of events designed to attract visitors and foster a vibrant local economy.
Although representatives from Country Thunder Festivals did not respond to inquiries from the venue regarding the festival’s status, BMS continues to strategize for the future and welcomes the possibility of working with the festival again when conditions permit.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB News
- Wikipedia: Country Thunder
- Music Row
- Google Search: Country Thunder Bristol 2023
- Herald Courier
- Google Scholar: Country Thunder Bristol
- Fox17 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bristol Motor Speedway
- Johnson City Press
- Google News: Country Thunder Bristol
Author: STAFF HERE BRISTOL WRITTER
The BRISTOL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBristol.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bristol, Sullivan County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, NASCAR races at Bristol Motor Speedway, Border Bash concert series, and the Hot Bristol Night Car Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, Believe in Bristol, and the Birthplace of Country Music, plus leading businesses in healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment that power the local economy such as Ballad Health, Strongwell, and Bristol Motor Speedway. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
