The International Bluegrass Music Association‘s five-day World of Bluegrass event will move to Chattanooga, Tennessee, for 2025-2027, with the inaugural Chattanooga event taking place Sept. 16-20, 2025. World of Bluegrass will feature a convention, tradeshow, the annual IBMA Awards show, artist showcases and a two-day live music festival featuring top bluegrass artists. No specific Chattanooga venue has been revealed as of yet.
“In our mission to spread the music, IBMA considered 30+ destinations for a new home. 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,” Ken White, executive director of IBMA, said in a statement.
The IBMA announced the new home for World of Bluegrass in partnership with the Chattanooga Tourism Co., the General Assembly, and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. Chattanooga was also revealed as the first recipient of the Tennessee Special Event Fund, with The Chattanooga Tourism Co. using the award to invest in supporting and growing the World of Bluegrass event. In 2022, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee partnered with the General Assembly to assign $25 million in the state budget for a fund designed to attract large-scale events expected to generate at least $10 million in visitor spending and $1 million in state and local taxes.
“Tennessee is proud to welcome IBMA’s World of Bluegrass to Chattanooga. This event is not only a testament to our state’s vibrant cultural heritage but also a significant economic driver for our communities,” said Chairwoman Patsy Hazlewood via a statement. “We are excited to support this event that will bring Bluegrass enthusiasts together in our city and give us an opportunity to showcase Tennessee and Chattanooga to an audience coming from literally around the world.”
Barry White, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Tourism Co., added, “The Tourism Co. is honored to be the first recipient of Tennessee’s new Special Event Fund and to welcome the WOB to Chattanooga. We are extremely excited to bring this event to Chattanooga and highlight our city’s flourishing cultural scene, while also generating economic returns to our community.”
According to a release, the Chattanooga Tourism Co. estimates that the 2025 World of Bluegrass event will bring more than 18,000 overnight visitors and more than 45,000, including day visitors, to generate more than $30 million in economic impact and yield $1.1 million in state tax revenue, with visitor spending supporting local jobs and additional tax revenues, benefiting industries beyond tourism.
Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development added, “We are ready to welcome the world’s largest events to Tennessee stages. IBMA’s World of Bluegrass is a great way to showcase our rich musical heritage, and the very goal of the Special Event Fund is to support local partners as they pursue and secure high-value events like this that represent tremendous economic benefit for Tennessee businesses.”
The announcement follows the recent reveal of this year’s IBMA Awards nominees. The 2024 IBMA World of Bluegrass will be held Sept. 24-28 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
