WinterJam 2026

Benchmark International Arena, Tampa, FL – January 10, 2026

The second night of Winter Jam 2026 brought a packed crowd to Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, delivering a night that fully embodied what this tour represents. As the largest touring event in Christian music, Winter Jam isn’t simply a concert—it’s a gathering that blends worship, ministry, storytelling, and musical diversity on a scale few tours can match.

The night began with the Pre-Jam session, featuring Cliff Preston, 3 Heath Brothers, and Jeremy Rosado. Prior to the start of the Pre-Jam, we had the opportunity to connect with Disciple on their tour bus for a brief interview. That conversation—along with our interview with Matthew West and Jeremy Rosado that we conducted throughout the evening—will be posted below this review as part of our continued coverage, so readers are encouraged to check back in the coming days as those pieces become available.

Cliff Preston opened the Pre-Jam and quickly made an impression. While his music was unfamiliar going into the night, his sincerity and presence drew the audience in. Moments like this highlight one of Winter Jam’s strengths: introducing audiences to artists they may not yet know, but often leave wanting to explore further.

3 Heath Brothers followed with a burst of energy and crowd engagement. Their willingness to interact—tossing hats into the audience and encouraging participation—made their set especially memorable. Hearing “Good Good Life” spark recognition in the crowd was one of those unexpected moments that reminds you how far a song can travel before you even realize you know it.

Closing out the Pre-Jam was Jeremy Rosado, whose performance carried added weight given both his journey and the scale of the platform. Jeremy is someone I’ve known and worked alongside for many years, dating back to our time connected through the independent label space over a decade ago. Seeing him perform on Winter Jam, the biggest touring platform in Christian music, especially in front of a hometown audience, felt like a milestone moment—not just personally, but professionally. Songs like “Keep Holding On,” “Hero in the Room,” and “Come and See” showcased his growth, consistency, and calling. Moments like this make it easy to envision a future where Jeremy returns to Winter Jam not as part of the Pre-Jam, but as one of the tour’s main headliners. That journey and perspective will be explored even further in our upcoming interview, which will also be posted below this review.

Following the Pre-Jam, the main show opened with Emerson Day, followed by Disciple, both delivering high-energy performances that set the tone for the rest of the night. While we were unable to capture coverage during these sets due to interview commitments, we know both artists brought strong live performances that resonated with the crowd.

After these performances, Zane Black, the tour speaker, took the stage. Zane delivered a direct, Scripture-rooted message that challenged attendees to consider faith, identity, and purpose. His placement early in the night allowed the message to settle in before the momentum of the remaining performances, reinforcing Winter Jam’s ministry-first foundation.

Next up was Hulvey, who recently announced he will release one final album under Reach Records before stepping away from the label. His performance carried a reflective tone without losing energy, highlighted by “No Longer Bound” and “Altar,” amongst others. The set felt significant, marking a transitional moment in his career while still delivering the intensity and authenticity fans have come to expect.

Matthew West followed with one of the most engaging and emotionally layered sets of the night. Known for his storytelling, West performed songs like “Don’t Stop Praying,” “Unashamed,” and his latest single, “Good.” One of the most memorable moments came when he brought his daughter on stage to perform “Good,” sharing a personal story before performing together. It was an authentic moment that captured the heart behind his music.

Immediately following Matthew West’s set came the ChildFund segment—an intentional pause that reminded the audience why Winter Jam exists beyond entertainment. This moment was especially meaningful on a personal level, as earlier in the day we reconnected with longtime friend Byron “Talkbox” Chambers, who was present representing ChildFund. Byron and Jeremy Rosado were both part of the same independent label ecosystem I worked at years ago, making the moment feel like a full-circle reunion. Byron’s history in Christian music runs deep—he was a member of TobyMac’s Diverse City band, prominently featured on the Welcome to Diverse City album, and is widely recognized as the talkbox voice behind Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.” Reconnecting in this context—centered on ministry and impact—was both unexpected and meaningful.

After intermission, Katy Nichole took the stage, delivering one of the most emotionally resonant performances of the night. A strong advocate for mental health awareness, her songs “When I Fall” and “In Jesus’ Name (God of Possible)” connected deeply with the audience, including many younger fans. Her placement late in the lineup reflected her growing influence and impact within the CCM space.

During the offering segment, Jeremy Rosado returned to the stage to perform “When I Meet Jesus.” This moment, which he had subtly teased during our interview earlier in the evening, served as a powerful spiritual bridge between worship and reflection, tying the night together in a meaningful way.

Closing out the night was Chris Tomlin, leading the arena into an extended time of worship. For me personally, this set carried a sense of redemption. Years ago, an unrelated experience at one of his concerts left a difficult impression—not because of Chris himself, but due to circumstances surrounding the event. Coming into this night, there was a quiet hope that this experience would feel different. It did. Songs like “Our God,” “How Great Is Our God,” and “Holy Forever” filled the arena, creating a unified moment of worship that fully reframed that past experience. It was a reminder that worship, at its best, transcends moments and memories.

Winter Jam 2026 in Tampa once again captured the scope, heart, and purpose of Christian music on a massive scale. From Pre-Jam discoveries and hometown milestones to ministry moments, reunions, and worship that redeemed past experiences, the night reflected why this tour continues to matter. With interviews and additional coverage still to come—posted below this review in the days ahead—Winter Jam proved once again that it’s not just an event, but a movement.

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Photo Credit: Mike Laxton