IBMA Announces New Host City for World of Bluegrass in 2025

After months of intense speculation, the International Bluegrass Music Association announced today the new home for its annual World of Bluegrass conference and festival.

After one last hurrah this September in Raleigh, North Carolina, the event’s home since 2013, World of Bluegrass will move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 2025, 2026, and 2027.

World of Bluegrass is the first recipient of Tennessee’s new Special Event Fund, appropriated by the state government in 2022 to help attract large events expected to bring the state at least $10 million in visitor spending.

Over its first 10 years in Raleigh, World of Bluegrass brought a combined $88 million in direct economic impact to the city, according to local newspaper the News & Observer, including a peak of $18.65 million in 2019. For its last three-year contract for the event, Raleigh agreed to provide $180,000 in planning funds. The Chattanooga Tourism Co. estimates that the event will generate $30.1 million in economic impact in 2025.

“In our mission to spread the music, IBMA considered 30+ destinations for a new home,” IBMA Executive Director Ken White said in a press release announcing the move. “While other cities could offer the necessary commitment, the passion and enthusiasm of the people of Chattanooga truly stood out. We are incredibly grateful for the support from the state of Tennessee and the welcoming spirit of Chattanooga. This city’s unique charm and hospitality makes it a perfect home for WOB artists and guests.”

The first Chattanooga World of Bluegrass will be held Sept. 16-20, 2025, which marks a shift in timing by a week earlier than the usual timeframe. Like World of Bluegrass in Raleigh, the Chattanooga event will feature a business conference as well as a two-day festival, according to a page for the event on VisitChattanooga.com. The IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards will also make the move to Tennessee.

Chattanooga, in Eastern Tennessee, is home to around 185,000 people and is about a two-hour drive from Nashville or from the Atlanta airport. It’s the home of the long-running annual 3 Sisters Festival of Bluegrass Music, which happens in October.

In 2025, PineCone, the local nonprofit roots music organization that booked the acts for the festival portion of World of Bluegrass while it was in Raleigh, will launch a new festival: Raleigh Wide Open. The new festival will take place Oct. 3-4, 2025.

This year’s World of Bluegrass takes place in Raleigh Sept. 24-29. Find more info here.