The Grand Ole Opry, known as the heart of country music in Nashville and the longest-running radio broadcast in U.S. history, is marking its 100th anniversary with a historic move — taking the show overseas for the first time.
On Friday, September 26, 2025, the Opry will host a live international broadcast at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The event, titled Grand Ole Opry: Live in London, will feature performances by Opry members Luke Combs, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Darius Rucker, and Marty Stuart. Additional UK-based artists will be announced in the coming months.
Tickets go on sale Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. BST through royalalberthall.com. The event offers country music fans in the UK a rare chance to experience the Opry live.
“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 here in the United Kingdom,” said Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of Ryman Hospitality Properties, which owns the Opry. “Our first-ever broadcast outside the United States will celebrate the influential music that has shaped the genre.”
BBC Radio 2’s Vernon Kay and Opry and WSM Radio host Kelly Sutton will co-host the show. Sutton also presents The Nashville Show on Absolute Radio Country and is the first woman to serve as a regular Opry host.
The concert will include a mix of modern country hits, classic tunes, and special collaborations between American and British artists. As with all Opry performances, each artist will sing two to four songs. Organizers say the night may end with a group performance featuring all of the artists on stage.
For Darius Rucker, the show is deeply personal. “Being a member of the Grand Ole Opry is a great honor,” he said. “It has always felt like a home away from home. Performing at Royal Albert Hall is a full-circle moment for me. It’s the perfect way to honor the Opry’s global influence.”
The London concert is the centerpiece of a yearlong celebration for the Opry’s 100th anniversary. The campaign includes exclusive merchandise, special shows, exhibits, and new book releases.
Dan Rogers, Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, highlighted the show’s global reach. “The magical thing about the Opry is how many lives it has touched over the past 100 years,” he said. “No matter where you live, when you listen to country music, all roads eventually lead to the Grand Ole Opry.”
Fans who cannot attend the show in London can still listen live via WSM Radio and Opry.com. BBC Radio 2 will also air a full replay. Ahead of the big event, viewers in the UK can watch Opry Live on Sky Arts starting May 30. The weekly program will run for 26 weeks.
The London show is produced by Dan Rogers and Steve Buchanan of SteadiBeat Media, with support from SJM Concerts and Bob Shennan. It aims to bring the traditions of Nashville’s Opry to one of the UK’s most famous music venues.
Country music is known for telling stories about people and places. With this show, the Grand Ole Opry will begin telling those stories across the Atlantic.
Related Topics
