CNN to Air Farm Aid 40 Live From Minnesota This Month

It's a massive day-long event scheduled to take place in Minnesota later this month-- and it's now going to be broadcast live across the country.

When it comes to hosting major concert events, don't go to sleep on Minnesota! Our state is home to several major concert venues like U.S. Bank Stadium, Target Field and Target Center, Grand Casino Arena (formerly the Xcel Energy Center), plus the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium.

Minnesota Hosts 20+ Major Concerts Every Year

The Land of 10,000 Lakes is also home to other smaller Twin Cities venues like the Armory, the Fillmore, Varsity Theater, as well as grandstand acts at the Minnesota State Fair. Overall, the North Star State hosts between 20 to 25 major concerts every year. And that isn't even counting other major acts who perform in outstate locations like Mankato, Duluth, and Rochester.

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So it was exciting news earlier this year when organizers of the popular and long-running Farm Aid music, food, and farm festival announced that they were holding the event's 40th anniversary concert right here in the Bold North. The day-long event is taking place at the University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium on September 20th, 2025. And now, even if you aren't going, you'll be able to check it out live on TV.

The University of Minnesota's Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. (Google Maps/Canva)

Kenny Chesney Joins Farm Aid 40 Lineup in Minnesota

Over its 40 years, Farm Aid has drawn from a familiar pool of well-known artists: Board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and Margo Price host the annual festival to raise funds to support Farm Aid’s work with family farmers and to inspire people to choose family farm food, Farm Aid said.

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And, they've raised a lot of awareness-- and money. Since 1985, Farm Aid, along with the support of the artists who contribute their performances each year, has generated more than $85 million, which supports programs that help farmers thrive and take action to 'change the dominant system of industrial agriculture and promote food from family farms,' the site said.

Here's the line-up of artists you'll see at Farm Aid 40 on September 20, including country star Kenny Chesney, who was added to the line-up earlier this summer:

Willie Nelson
Neil Young (and the Chrome Hearts)
John Mellencamp
Dave Matthews (with Tim Reynolds)
Kenny Chesney
Margo Price
Billy Strings
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Trampled by Turtles
Waxahatchee
Eric Burton of Black Pumas
Jesse Welles
Madeline Edwards
Wisdom Indian Dancers

Farm Aid 40 in Minnesota to Air Live on CNN

Tickets for Farm Aid’s 40th anniversary music and food festival here in Minnesota are available for purchase at farmaid40.org. Ticket prices range from $101 to $390 (fees included, not sales tax). But if you don't want to buy a ticket but still want to see the show, you'll be able to do so from the comfort of your couch.

That's because Farm Aid announced that, for the first time ever, the event will be broadcast live on CNN, from 7 p.m. to midnight, CDT. According to Farm Aid, the broadcast will feature live performances from Willie Nelson and Family, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds, and Margo Price:

CNN Anchors John Berman and Laura Coates will co-anchor the special coverage. CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir will provide on-the-ground reporting from the celebration of music and family farmers in Minneapolis.

CNN will also stream the event live on CNN.com and via CNN’s apps on connected TVs and mobile devices, without requiring a cable login, Farm Aid noted.