What began in 2013 as a three-day festival at the O2 Arena in London has grown into a sprawling multi-city event across the continent. This year’s festivities begin March 13 and run to March 15 at London’s O2 Arena, Glasgow’s Hydro and Belfast’s SSE Arena. And next year, Manchester will join the ranks.

It was announced across the festival’s official social accounts this morning that in 2027, events will also take place in Machester’s AO Arena and the New Century Hall. No dates are yet confirmed for next year’s Country to Country festival, but pre-sale will go on Wednesday 18 March with general sale commencing Friday 20 March. Details can be found in the post below.

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There’s no lineup yet announced for the 2027 festival, but 2026’s festivities will be headlined by Zach Top, Keith Urban and Brooks & Dunn. The festival’s official site asserts C2C as “the best in country music and programming” including performances from “the world’s best country stars as well as emerging talent from Nashville, UK and Europe.”

Country to Country’s landing in the North will be supported by Manchester Accommodation BID, which Manchester Evening News described as “a ground-breaking initiative led by the city’s hotel and serviced apartment providers to help bring new events to Manchester and Salford.” The goal of the Manchester Accommodation BID is to “deliver better visitor experiences and additional activity to drive more staying visitors,” as well as assuring Manchester can compete better in a global market.

The C2C expansion comes soon after the BRIT Awards took place at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. It was the esteemed award ceremony’s first time outside of London. Sacha Lord, the Greater Manchester Night Time Economy Adviser from 2018 to 2025, commented on X about the recent event buzz around Manchester. He says, “in terms of Events, nowhere in the UK is coming even close to Greater Manchester.” He went on to list recent landmark events, “MTV Europe, The Brits, The MOBO’s, and now Europes Biggest Country Music Festival” saying the choice to set these in Manchester “isn’t a coincidence.”

The so-called Capital of the North has a rich music history, with icons such as The Smiths, Oasis and The 1975 all calling Manchester their hometown. Country music stars such as Megan Moroney and Brandi Carlisle are both making trips to the UK on their tours this year, proving the hotly rising country music scene in the UK has strong roots in the North.

To register for pre-sale Country to Country 2027, sign up for the festival’s official mailing list, here. Pre-sale takes place on Wednesday 18 March, ahead of general sale on Friday 20 March.

The Long Road festival, is a three day event, starts on the 7th of September and concludes on the 9th of September 2018, within the grounds of Stanford Hall in Leicestershire, curated by Tennessee-born country music specialist and radio presenter Baylen Leonard. Tickets can be purchased here.

“Being from Tennessee and having lived in the UK for close to 20 years, I’m thrilled to bring the music and culture of both together in one festival. The dedication and passion of the UK country community is so amazing, we wanted to put together a festival that celebrated the music and lifestyle they love as a thank you to the fans for supporting country music. Whether you’re a country fan, an Americana fan, or a fan of great music in general, we wanted a welcoming place where everyone could come together to celebrate. This is a festival for the fans and we’re excited to share it with you,” says Leonard.

The event will be one of the UK’s largest displays, celebrating the authentic country, Americana and roots music. Five stages with live performances from over 40 artists, customized food events and a varying range of themed outdoor activities.

The Long Road is more than just another music festival, and its not just a celebration of the roots of country music its a celebration of the rejuvenation of country in Britain, will incorporate all aspects of the country and Americana scene.

It not only provides a unique live music offerings it will incorporating themed activities including moonshine and bourbon tasting, instrument and song-writing workshops, lake swimming, a Southern-infused food and shopping village, and much more.

The event will provide festival goers with a unique, authentic country music and lifestyle experience that celebrates genres root in America, but its distinct British twist with acts like The Shires and Ward Thomas.

“We are very excited to be playing the first Long Road festival. Country music in the UK is starting to really gain momentum and an outdoor festival dedicated to it will be great fun to play,” says The Shires.

The line-up also includes Lee Ann Womack, Billy Bragg, Angaleena Presley, Brent Cobb and Catherine McGrath. View the full line-up here.

The festival has teamed up with varying organisations, which includes the BBC Music Introducing, who will host a stage at the event fronted by Bob Harris, presenter of BBC Radio 2’s weekly country show, showcasing an array of up and coming country and Americana artists, and will mark the first time that the platform has teamed up with a country music event. The Birthplace of Country Music, The Bluegrass Situation (BGS), The American Music Association UK, and the independent UK label Loose Records, will also all be involved in bringing acts to the festival to showcase talent from across the range of country music.