Florida Georgia Line fans got a surprise they had been waiting years to see when Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley reunited on stage during the opening night of CMA Fest 2026.
The Duo Have Been on a Hiatus Since 2022
The appearance marked the duo’s first major performance together since announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2022 to pursue separate solo careers.
The crowd at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium erupted as the longtime hitmakers made their entrance in dramatic fashion.
Introduced by legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer, Hubbard and Kelley entered from different areas of the stadium, making their way through the audience while high-fiving fans and performing their 2013 hit “Round Here.”
The pair then reunited on stage to perform their breakthrough smash “Cruise,” one of the biggest country songs of the past decade.
Addressing the crowd, Hubbard celebrated the moment and the duo’s long-awaited return.
“CMA Fest, it feels so good to be here with my brother,” he said. “And listen, we got three things we want to say tonight. First of all, God is good. Second of all, life is short. And most importantly, your boys….we back, baby!”
The surprise performance came after weeks of speculation that something was brewing between the former bandmates.
Fans noticed the pair had updated Florida Georgia Line’s social media accounts, changing the profile image to the message “FGL LFG.”
There Were Rumors a Reunion Was in the Works
They also generated buzz by placing a billboard in Nashville featuring a phone number.
According to Rolling Stone, fans who texted the number received a message that read: “Turns out, some things are just better together. Much more to come.”
Before CMA Fest, Florida Georgia Line’s last full performance together took place in August 2022, shortly before the duo stepped away from the group.
The reunion follows another notable appearance earlier this year when Hubbard and Kelley shared the stage during an event honoring Jason Aldean.
During that performance, they sang “You Make It Easy,” a chart-topping song they co-wrote with Morgan Wallen and songwriter Jordan Schmidt.
Hubbard Previously Spoke on the Split
While fans have long wondered what led to the group’s split, Hubbard offered some insight during a December 2025 appearance on the “Human School” podcast.
Reflecting on the end of the duo, he explained that both artists ultimately chose to follow their own convictions.
“BK stuck to his convictions and led with his gut and decided to make a decision based on his passion,” Hubbard said. “I set a boundary that I wasn’t willing to cross and it is what it is. We both accepted it way before the internet accepted it.”
Florida Georgia Line spent more than a decade dominating country radio with hits including “Cruise,” “This Is How We Roll,” “H.O.L.Y.” and “Round Here.”
Their blend of country, rock and pop influences helped redefine the genre and made them one of country music’s most successful duos.
Now, after nearly four years apart, their CMA Fest reunion has fans wondering whether this was a one-night celebration—or the beginning of a new chapter for Florida Georgia Line.
