The Tennessean Reports: Grand Ole Opry to Make Historic UK Debut at Royal Albert Hall
The Grand Ole Opry, a stalwart of American country music, has announced that it will make its first-ever live international broadcast from London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall on September 26, 2025. This milestone event, which is part of the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebrations, will feature a star-studded lineup of country music artists, including Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Hall of Famer Marty Stuart, Carly Pearce, and Darius Rucker.
According to The Tennessean, tickets for the show will go on sale at 4 a.m. CDT on May 23, and can be purchased on the Royal Albert Hall’s website. The event promises to be a highlight of the Opry’s centennial year, which will feature a range of events, limited-edition releases, special performances, exhibits, book publications, and merchandise celebrating the Opry’s milestone.
"We’re thrilled to bring the Grand Ole Opry to the UK for the first time," said Colin Reed, executive chairman of Grand Ole Opry parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties. "This milestone year for the Grand Ole Opry has arrived at the perfect time as country music enjoys an unprecedented rise in global popularity, especially in the United Kingdom."
The lineup for the event, which will be co-hosted by BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay and WSM Radio host Kelly Sutton, will also feature a number of notable UK guest artists, which will be announced later this year. The show will showcase a mix of contemporary and classic country music hits, with each artist performing two to four songs.
The Tennessean reports that country music has experienced significant growth in the UK in recent years, with streaming market share doubling year-over-year from 2023 to 2024. The Opry’s decision to broadcast live from the Royal Albert Hall is seen as a key moment in the genre’s continued expansion.
Darius Rucker, a longtime Opry member, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, "Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honor; it’s always felt like the Opry was my home away from home. To have the opportunity to bring such a big part of my musical roots to Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me."
Carly Pearce, another Opry member, noted that she has seen firsthand the growing popularity of country music in the UK, saying, "I’ve been to Europe several times, but I feel like in the last year or two, country music has connected there in a really impactful way. The growth of my music over there blew my mind."
The Grand Ole Opry’s UK debut will be broadcast live on WSM Radio and Opry.com, with UK-based fans able to hear a full broadcast replay on BBC Radio 2 at a later date. In the lead-up to the show, fans in the UK will be able to catch up on the latest Grand Ole Opry performances as Opry Live begins airing on Sky Arts starting May 30.
Dan Rogers, senior vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry, said, "The magical thing about the Opry is how many lives it’s touched over the past 100 years. No matter where you live, when you listen to country music, all roads eventually lead to the Grand Ole Opry and its members both past and present."
The Opry’s 100th anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 2025 and 2026, with a range of events and releases planned. For more information, visit The Tennessean‘s website or the official Grand Ole Opry website at www.opry.com.
