The biggest names in country music are gearing up for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards.
The 61st annual awards show moves from Texas to Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17.
“We couldn’t be more excited to return to the MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a venue with so much history and special memories for the Academy. It feels like a homecoming for us,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said a statement in December 2025. “There is no better place to host an exciting global celebration of Country Music than in the beautiful Las Vegas!”
Jay PenskeCEO of Dick Clark Productions, added in his statement that 2026 will be “a special year for the ACMs.”
Keep scrolling for more details about the 2026 ACMs:
Who’s Performing at the 2026 ACMs?
The Academy of Country Music Awards will feature performances from the likes Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Capital City, Miranda Lambert again Kacey Musgraves. Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Zach Top, Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore and the Red Clay Strays will also take the stage.
2026 ACM Nominations Revealed
The nominations for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards were announced on April 9, where Megan Moroney led with nine nominations. Miranda Lambert followed with eight headers, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each had seven.
“Nine seems like a good number,” Moroney wrote on his Instagram Stories. “Thank you yooooouuuu sm @acmawards.”
Moroney received the nomination Male Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (as an artist and songwriter), Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year (as an artist and director) and Singer-Songwriter of the Year.
Moroney raised the Entertainer of the Year aside Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Wilson, who won the division during the 2025 event.
“Wow good morning @acmawards, nice to see you?” Wilson wrote on his Instagram Stories.
Wilson was also nominated Song of the Year (as artist and songwriter), Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year and Female Artist of the Year. Moroney and Wilson were nominated for Female Artist of the Year against them Kelsea BalleriniLangley and Lambert. Riley Green, Zach TopCombs, Johnson and Stapleton, meanwhile, are up for Male Artist of the Year.
Other ACM nominees include Reba McEntire, Shaboozey, 49 Winchester, Gavin Adcock, Avery Anna, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Mackenzie Carpenter, Kenny ChesneyDan + Shay, Dasha, Carter Faith, Flatland Cavalry, Caroline Jones, Vincent Mason, Parker McCollum, Muscadine Bloodline, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Red Clay Strays, Emily Ann Roberts, Thelma and James, Hudson Westbrook, Tucker Wetmore again Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who’s Hosting the 2026 ACMs?
Shania Twain will handle the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards.
“I’m so excited to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain said in a statement in April 2026. “It’s an honor to be a part of this incredible night celebrating the stars of Country Music, especially since there are so many talented women nominated this year. I can’t wait to welcome all the fans and artists to this unforgettable night.”
How to watch the 2026 ACMs
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand on Sunday, May 17, and will be simulcast on Prime Video beginning at 8 pm ET. The show will also be streamed through Amazon Music’s Twitch channel and standalone app.
