56th Annual Dove Awards Host Announced

 

Tauren Wells Set to Return for Third Consecutive Year as Host of 56th GMA Dove Awards

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) has officially confirmed that Tauren Wells, eight-time Dove Award winner, will host and perform at the highly anticipated 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, scheduled for October 7, 2025, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Wells steps into hosting duties for the third consecutive year after presiding over the 2023 and 2024 ceremonies. Reflecting on his previous experiences, he shared:

“Hosting the Dove Awards in 2023 and 2024 was such an incredible experience. I’m so excited to run it back this year when we bring it to Bridgestone Arena. It’s going to be a great night!” 

Venue Upgrade and Broadcast Details

This year's show moves from its previous venue, Lipscomb University's Allen Arena, to the much larger Bridgestone Arena, a significant shift accommodating the ceremony’s growing scale. Bridgestone Arena has a capacity of up to 20,000, compared to Allen Arena’s 5,000. The move reflects years of increasing ticket demand and marks a milestone in the event's evolution.

The ceremony will air live, with its worldwide broadcast premiering on Friday, October 10, 2025, exclusively on TBN and the TBN+ app.

Music City Fan Experience

Alongside the awards show, the GMA is rolling out an immersive Music City Fan Experience. Highlights include:

  • A New Artist Showcase featuring nominees for 2025's New Artist of the Year

  • A Night of Worship

  • A festive river cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat, complete with a songwriters' showcase

  • Accommodations at the Sheraton Grand Nashville for attending fans 

Pre Show Programming

To build excitement, fans are encouraged to tune in on July 25 for "Dove Awards Rewind: Favorite Moments from Christian Music’s Biggest Night", airing on TBN and TBN+ and hosted by DOE .

A Spotlight on Tauren Wells

Tauren Wells isn’t just a charismatic host—he is also a powerhouse in Christian music. His accolades include:

  • Eight Dove Awards, including Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year and New Artist of the Year

  • 10 Grammy nominations, along with nominations for Billboard, BET, NAACP Image, and Premio Lo Nuestro awards

  • Seven #1 singles and over 1.5 billion global streams, with platinum hits like “Known” and “Hills and Valleys”

Beyond music, Wells and his wife founded and now co-pastor Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, launched in January 2024.

Why This Matters

Bringing back Tauren Wells as host for a third year highlights both his popularity and the event’s momentum. The move to Bridgestone Arena underscores the Dove Awards’ rising cultural and commercial significance. The expanded fan experience and pre-show programming further reflect a growing appetite for Christian music’s biggest night.

Keep your calendars marked for October 7 (live show) and October 10 (broadcast), and stay tuned this Friday, July 25, for the Dove Awards rewind special.