IPSWICH, you’ve done it again – putting on a show like nobody else can.
CMC Rocks 2026 has once again transformed Willowbank Raceway into the beating heart of country music, with a record-breaking 25,000 fans per day descending on the region for a festival that continues to set the benchmark on a global stage.
Following a sold-out 2025 event that drew 26,000 attendees and injected an estimated $14 million into the local economy, this year’s festival has maintained its remarkable momentum.
Since relocating from Jindabyne to Ipswich in 2015, CMC Rocks has grown into one of the largest country music festivals in the Southern Hemisphere, consistently selling out and attracting fans from near and far.
Now in its 19th year, the 2026 edition featured a powerhouse mix of Australian and international talent.
Homegrown artists including James Johnston, Casey Barnes, Wade Forster, Sara Berki, The Wet Whistles, Hayley Jensen, Robbie Mortimer, Bella Mackenzie, Tyla Rodrigues, Mackenzie May, Mack Geiger, Briana Dinsdale and Jade Gibson feature prominently on the bill.
They were joined by a strong international contingent including Carly Pearce, Tucker Wetmore, Dasha, Gavin Adcock and Tyler Braden.
With the location for the 2027 festival yet to be confirmed, attention is already beginning to turn to what comes next, in what is sure to be a bumper 20th edition.
Other cities are expected to enter a bidding war to secure the rights, including the highly regarded country standout Tamworth.
But as the dust settles on another huge weekend, Ipswich is once again making a compelling case with its proven track record, passionate crowds and ability to deliver.
Right now, Ipswich is setting the standard.
