The Chief Returns to Wildwood Beach – Tickets On Sale Now

WILDWOOD, N.J. (October 3, 2025) – Barefoot Country Music Fest (BCMF), the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music celebration, is proud to announce Eric Church as the next superstar headliner for the 2026 fest, set for June 18–21, 2026 on the beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey. Known to his passionate Church Choir as “The Chief,” Church will bring his powerhouse catalog and one-of-a-kind live performance to BCMF for what promises to be a can’t-miss moment.

Church’s most recent album, Evangeline vs. The Machine, marks his first new music since 2021’s critically acclaimed triple album Heart & Soul, which featured the Gold-certified No. 1 “Hell of a View,” Top 5 hit “Heart on Fire,” and fan favorite “Stick That In Your Country Song.” The new project includes his current single “Hands of Time” and the powerful 2024 release “Darkest Hour,” for which he donated all publishing royalties to support relief and long-term recovery in his home state of North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

A seven-time ACM Award winner, four-time CMA Award winner (including 2020’s Entertainer of the Year), TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 honoree and 10-time GRAMMY® nominee, Church has built a passionate fan base through a catalog that spans Gold- and Platinum-certified albums including Desperate Man, Mr. Misunderstood, The Outsiders, and the 4× Platinum Chief, as well as 32 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum singles.

On stage, Church is as relentless as he is innovative, known for marathon live shows and headline-making moments — from his Double Down Tour of back-to-back nights in each city to record-setting stadium shows at venues like Nissan Stadium in Nashville (56,000+ fans) and performing the National Anthem with Jazmine Sullivan at Super Bowl LV. Beyond the stage, he’s a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, co-owner of the iconic Field & Stream brand, the creator of Whiskey JYPSI, and the force behind Chief’s, his six-story venue in downtown Nashville.

“Eric Church is The Chief for a reason. He’s a standout live performer and one of the most awarded artists in country music,” said Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. “His return to BCMF is big — we’re honored to feature him in the 2026 lineup and can’t wait to see him back in Wildwood.”

Recognized by outlets like USA Today, Billboard, and Rolling Stone as one of the nation’s premier destination festivals, Barefoot Country Music Fest has quickly become a summer tradition, drawing tens of thousands of fans from across the U.S. and beyond. With multiple sellouts in its first five years, BCMF continues to deliver unforgettable experiences with a one-of-a-kind oceanfront backdrop.

Eric Church joins previously announced headliner Post Malone, with more superstar headliners and the full lineup still to come.

Tickets for BCMF 2026 are on sale now at bcmf.com. Lock in your weekend for as low as $40 down. For the latest updates and exclusive #BCMFHints, fans are encouraged to follow Barefoot Country Music Fest on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.

About BCMF

Barefoot Country Music Fest™ (BCMF), the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music fest, is located in Wildwood, NJ, between the famous Morey’s Piers on the beach. BCMF hosts the industry’s biggest stars with 40+ artists slated for June 18–21, 2026, bringing a unique blend of today’s country headliners, regional stars, up-and-comers, and local favorites. With the combination of country music and Wildwood’s scenic backdrop, this family-friendly four-day fest is a summer vacation destination.

About Eric Church

A seven-time ACM Award winner, four-time CMA Award winner (including 2020’s Entertainer of the Year), TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 honoree, and 10-time GRAMMY nominee, Eric Church has built a passionate fan base through his critically acclaimed catalog of music. His October 2024 release, “Darkest Hour,” saw the superstar signing over all publishing royalties to the people of North Carolina to provide immediate relief following Hurricane Helene while also funding long-term recovery. The song is featured alongside current single “Hands of Time” on his brand new album Evangeline vs. The Machine. His career includes Gold- and Platinum-certified albums Desperate Man, Sinners Like Me, Carolina, Mr. Misunderstood, The Outsiders, and Chief, along with 32 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certified songs.

Church is also a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, co-owner of the Field & Stream brand, has his own SiriusXM channel Eric Church Outsiders Radio, his liquor line Whiskey JYPSI, and recently celebrated the first anniversary of Chief’s, his six-story venue on Nashville’s famed Lower Broadway.

For more information, visit www.ericchurch.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter/X @ericchurch and Instagram @ericchurchmusic.

About Southern Entertainment

Southern Entertainment is a full-service event and production company. Our unwavering commitment to excellence has led us to produce over 500 events across the United States. We specialize in planning, marketing, and executing a wide range of concerts, festivals, and other live music events with some of the industry’s biggest stars.