CANTON − The Concert for Legends will boast another football and country music connection when fast-rising star Lainey Wilson headlines the 2026 show.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame made the announcement around 10:20 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the end of the Nickelback Concert at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.
“We are so excited about Lainey Wilson coming to Canton that we didn’t want to wait a minute longer than necessary to share the news,” Jim Porter, president and CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in a prepared statement. “Lainey is racking up national awards and continues her climb to the top of the charts and to the top of people’s playlists witth her special blend of singing and songwriting talents.”
Next summer’s Concert for Legends will be Aug. 9. Tickets are now on sale at https://www.profootballhof.com.
Although this year’s headliner was a rock ‘n’ roll powerhouse, country music has been a popular draw at past Enshrinement Festival concerts, including Carrie Underwood in 2024. Other past Concert for Legend headliners have included Toby Keith and Brad Paisley.
Lainey Wilson is Grammy winner and chart topper
Wilson, 33, has burst onto the scene in recent years while claiming numerous ACM (Academy of Country Music) awards, including entertainer of the year, female artist of the year, album of the year and artist-songwriter of the year.
Known for donning a cowboy hat and wearing bell-bottom pants, she performed the halftime show at the Thanksgiving Day game in Dallas featuring the Cowboys against the New York Giants, including a duet with fellow country star Jelly Roll for the hit song, “Save Me.”
Other achievements include winning Best Country Album at the Grammy awards in 2024 for “Bell Bottom Country.”
Wilson’s most recent release, “Whirlwind” earned a Grammy nomination for best country album; it debuted at No. 8 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart.
Lainey’s hits include ‘Heart Like A Truck’ and ‘Watermelon Moonshine’
Wilson has scored a slew of hit songs, including “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Heart Like A Truck,” “4x4xU” and “Wildflowers And Wild Horses.” Popular tunes also include “Things a Man Oughta Know.”
Collaborations include songs with Cole Swindell, “Never Say Never” and “wait in the truck” with HARDY.
As an actor, she’s appeared in the massively popular television series “Yellowstone” on Paramount, portraying the character of Abby, an aspiring country musician.
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