2026 ACM Awards Guide: Nominees, Performers & How to Watch
Everything you need to know about the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, including the date, host, nominees, performers, and how to watch live.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: February 17, 2026
Updated: May 17, 2026
The 61st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Missed the show? Stream it on Prime Video. You do not need to pay for Amazon Prime to watch the ACMs; the show is free to watch on Prime Video. For more awards coverage, visit our Country Music News section.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to return to MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a place that holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like a homecoming for us,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO, Academy of Country Music. “There’s no better place to host an exciting, global Country Music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!"
What are the ACM Awards?
Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. Since partnering with Prime Video for the 57th ACM Awards, the show has been hosted by legends like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire. The ceremony has also featured major collaborations, including Ed Sheeran and Luke Combs, Dua Lipa and Chris Stapleton, and Rascal Flatts with the Backstreet Boys.
Where Are the 2026 ACM Awards Taking Place?
The 2026 ACM Awards returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, one of the most iconic venues in the show’s history. The arena has hosted numerous ACM ceremonies, major residencies, and historic country music moments.
Events During the 2026 ACM Awards
Along with the award show, the following events took place during ACM Week:
ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends to be held at Topgolf Las Vegas with Proceeds Benefiting ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Presents: Next Wave Country Beach Bash - A full day of music from country’s rising stars at Mandalay Bay.
Who Performed at the 2026 ACM Awards?
Here’s the full list of performances from the 2026 ACM Awards:
Lainey Wilson - “Can’t Sit Still”
Miranda Lambert - “Crisco”
Thomas Rhett & Jordan Davis - “Ain’t A Bad Life”
Avery Anna - “Blood Runs Thicker”
Riley Green - “Change My Mind”
Zach Top - “Honky Tonk Till It Hurts”
Little Big Town - “Hey There Sunshine”
The Red Clay Strays - “Demons in Your Choir”
Tucker Wetmore - “Brunette”
Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack - “Killin’ Me”
Kacey Musgraves - “Dry Spell”
Ella Langley - “Be Her”
Carter Faith - “If I Had Never Lost My Mind”
Cody Johnson - “Travelin’ Soldier”
Kane Brown - “Woman”
Dan + Shay - “Say So”
Blake Shelton - “The Gambler” (Tribute to Don Schlitz)
Who Presented at the 2026 ACM Awards?
The ACM presenters included figures in music and sports:
Andrew Whitworth and Ryan Fitzpatrick - Group of the Year
Ashley McBryde - Male Artist of the Year
Carl Edwards and Corey Lajoie - Duo of the Year
Keith Urban - Album of the Year
Lauren Alaina - Lifting Lives Performance
Michael Buble - Song of the Year
Shaboozey - Single of the Year
The War and Treaty - Musical Event of the Year
TJ Osborne - Female Artist of the Year
Who Hosted the 2026 ACM Awards?
Shania Twain hosted the 2026 ACM Awards.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”
“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”
Who Hosted the ACM Awards in Previous Years?
Blake Shelton, LeAnn Rimes, Clint Black, Faith Hill, Barbara Mandrell, Roger Miller, and Loretta Lynn are just a few of the superstar acts that have previously hosted the ACM Awards.
2026 ACM Award Winners and Nominees
The eligibility period for submissions for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
Entertainer of the Year
Winner: Cody Johnson
Luke Combs
Megan Moroney
Jelly Roll
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Winner: Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Winner: Cody Johnson
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
Winner: The Red Clay Strays
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Duo of the Year
Winner: Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
Winner: Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
Winner: Tucker Wetmore
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Album of the Year
Winner: Parker McCollum - Parker McCollum
Ain’t In In For My Health - Zach Top
Cherry Valley - Carter Faith
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) - Riley Green
I’m The Problem - Morgan Wallen
Song of the Year
Winner: “Choosin’ Texas” - Ella Langley
“A Song To Sing” - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Am I Okay” - Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” - Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” - Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
Winner: “Choosin’ Texas” - Ella Langley
“6 Months Later” - Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie” - Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” - Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” - Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year
Winner: “Don’t Mind If I Do” - Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
“A Song To Sing” - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen” - Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Trailblazer” - Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson
“You Had To Be There” - Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Visual Media of the Year
Winner: “Cuckoo” - Stephen Wilson Jr.
“6 Months Later” - Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” - Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Somewhere Over Laredo” - Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” - Cody Johnson
Songwriter of the Year
Winner: Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Winner: Ella Langley
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
When are the 2027 ACM Awards?
Check back for the date for next year’s show as the ACM’s return to Las Vegas, as announced by Shania Twain.
2026 ACM Awards FAQ
When are the 2026 ACM Awards?
The 61st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards took place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, celebrating the biggest achievements in country music from the past year.
What channel are the 2026 ACM Awards on?
The 2026 ACM Awards were streamed on Amazon Video and the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch.
Who had the most country nominations at the 2026 ACM Awards?
Nominations are led by Megan Moroney (nine), Followed by Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley (seven), Lainey Wilson (seven), Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson (four).
Who hosted the 2026 ACM Awards?
Shania Twain hosted the 2026 ACM Awards.
For more country music news and awards coverage, visit our Country Music News section.