The Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) is excited to announce the return of its highly anticipated Friday Concert, sponsored by Bennett Family of Companies, a free live music event on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET in Freedom Hall at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

A longtime favorite among attendees, the Friday Concert celebrates the trucking community with great music and camaraderie following a full day of exhibits, education, and networking at MATS 2026. This year’s concert will feature performances by Frank Foster, Mark Ware, and Long Haul Paul. Foster is known as a chart-topping country artist who delivers a gritty blend of Southern rock and honest country, Ware is known for his scorching blend of Southern soul and gritty storytelling, and Paul is known as a journeyman storyteller, delivering lyrics steeped in folk and americana. 

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Friday Concert as part of the MATS experience,” said Toby Young, President of the Mid-America Trucking Show. “This event has become a signature celebration for the trucking community, an opportunity for attendees to relax, enjoy great music, and connect with fellow professionals after a day at the show.”

The concert is free for all registered MATS attendees. Complimentary tickets will be available for pickup at Bennett booth #39201 at the show on Thursday and Friday. This year’s concert experience is made possible through the support of sponsors, enhancing the entertainment offerings that make MATS a must-attend event for trucking professionals, families, and music fans alike.

For details about the Friday concert, please visit: https://truckingshow.com/mats-concert/

MATS 2026 runs March 26–28, 2026, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, bringing together thousands of attendees, hundreds of exhibitors, and industry leaders for three days of product showcases, hands-on demonstrations, education sessions, and special events. Registration for the show is open now.

About MATS

Since 1972, the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) has grown to be the world’s largest and longest-running annual heavy-duty trucking event. MATS is the place to experience everything from new technologies to networking with industry thought leaders. This is where the industry’s largest brands and promising startups do business, form partnerships, and make meaningful connections. More than 800 exhibitors and 50,000 attendees are expected from across the globe at MATS this year, making it the education and innovation epicenter of the trucking industry. The entire industry connects at MATS 54 on March 26-28, 2026.