The 2026 ACM Honors will return to Nashville this summer, bringing together country artists, songwriters, industry leaders and special award recipients for one of the Academy of Country Music’s signature events.

The 19th Academy of Country Music Honors is set for Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Carly Pearce will return as host for the sixth year, with Parker McCollum joining her as co-host for the first time.

This year’s special honorees include Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, “Landman,” Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke. Ella Langley, Jessie Jo Dillon, ACM Studio Recording Award winners and ACM Industry Award winners will also be recognized during the evening.

Performers and presenters for the 2026 ACM Honors have not yet been announced.

2026 ACM Honors Quick Facts

Event: 19th Academy of Country Music Honors
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Venue: The Pinnacle
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Hosts: Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum
Tickets: Presale begins June 24; public on-sale begins June 26 through AXS
Performers: To be announced
Presenters: To be announced
TV/Streaming: Not yet announced

When and Where Is the 2026 ACM Honors?

The 2026 ACM Honors will take place Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at The Pinnacle in Nashville.

The event celebrates special award recipients, off-camera ACM winners, studio musicians, industry leaders and others who have made an impact on country music. While the ACM Awards spotlight the year’s major televised categories, ACM Honors gives additional recognition to artists, songwriters, executives, musicians and industry figures whose contributions help shape the genre.

Who Is Hosting the 2026 ACM Honors?

Carly Pearce will return as host of the ACM Honors for the sixth year. For 2026, she will be joined by Parker McCollum, who will co-host the event for the first time.

Carly Pearce Parker McCollum ACM Honors.

Who Are the 2026 ACM Honors Honorees?

The 2026 ACM Honors will recognize a wide range of artists, songwriters, industry leaders, projects and organizations. This year’s special award honorees include Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, “Landman,” Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke.

ACM Poet’s Award: Brett James and The Carter Family

Brett James and The Carter Family will each be honored posthumously with the ACM Poet’s Award.

The ACM Poet’s Award recognizes a country music songwriter whose work has had a lasting impact on the genre through lyrical and musical contributions.

James built one of Nashville’s most successful songwriting careers, with songs recorded by Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert and many others. His credits include Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” which won a Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

The Carter Family, often called “The First Family of Country Music,” helped define the sound and foundation of the genre. A.P. Carter, Sara Carter and Maybelle Carter became known for their harmonies and instrumental style after being discovered during the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Their recordings, including “Keep on the Sunny Side” and “Wildwood Flower,” remain part of country music history.

ACM International Award: C2C: Country to Country

C2C: Country to Country will receive the ACM International Award.

The award recognizes outstanding efforts to expand country music’s influence around the world. C2C has become one of the most important country music events outside the United States, with festivals held in cities including London, Glasgow, Manchester, Berlin and Rotterdam.

The festival has helped bring country artists to international audiences while strengthening the genre’s connection with European fans. Its past and recent lineups have included Brooks & Dunn, Zach Top, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Eric Church and more.

ACM Film Award: “Landman”

The Paramount+ series “Landman” will receive the ACM Film Award.

Inspired by Tex Ritter, the ACM Film Award honors a television series, television movie or feature film released within the past calendar year that prominently features country music.

“Landman,” created by Taylor Sheridan, stars Billy Bob Thornton, Ali Larter, Michelle Randolph, Sam Elliott, Jacob Lofland and Demi Moore. Set in the Texas oilfields, the series includes a soundtrack featuring country and Americana artists such as George Strait, Tyler Childers, Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Luke Grimes, Zach Bryan and more.

ACM Icon Award: Bill Anderson and Mike Curb

Bill Anderson and Mike Curb will each receive the ACM Icon Award.

The ACM Icon Award honors a country artist, duo, group or industry leader whose work across areas such as songwriting, recording, production, touring, film, television, literary work and philanthropy has made a major impact on country music.

Anderson, known as “Whisperin’ Bill,” has built a career as a songwriter, recording artist, author, television personality and radio personality. His songwriting credits include Ray Price’s “City Lights,” George Strait’s “Give It Away,” Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss’ “Whiskey Lullaby” and Kenny Chesney’s “A Lot of Things Different.” Anderson is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Curb is the founder and owner of Curb Records and has worked as a producer, songwriter, label executive and public servant. His label has been connected to artists including Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna Judd, Lee Brice, Dylan Scott, Jo Dee Messina and more. Outside of music, Curb has served as Lieutenant Governor of California and established the Mike Curb Foundation, which supports music education, historic preservation and other initiatives.

ACM Spirit Award: Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves will receive the ACM Spirit Award.

Inspired by Merle Haggard, the ACM Spirit Award is presented to an honoree who reflects Haggard’s dedication to country music and storytelling. Musgraves, a seven-time ACM Award winner, has built a career that balances traditional country influences with her own creative point of view.

Her 2026 recognition follows a career that has included Grammy wins, major touring success and critical acclaim. Musgraves’ albums and songs have helped make her one of country music’s most distinctive voices, from “Golden Hour” and “Deeper Well” to her Zach Bryan duet “I Remember Everything.”

ACM Service Award: Scott Zolke

Scott Zolke will receive the ACM Service Award.

Inspired by Mae Boren Axton, the ACM Service Award recognizes a country artist, duo, group or industry leader who has served the Academy of Country Music.

Zolke is an entertainment attorney and partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP. His work has included representing clients across television, media, radio, sports and music. He has also represented the Academy of Country Music, including work connected to ACM’s agreement with Amazon Prime Video for the ACM Awards.

ACM Lifting Lives Award: Eric Church

Eric Church will receive the ACM Lifting Lives Award.

The award honors a country artist, duo, group or industry professional devoted to improving lives through the power of music and service to others.

Church is being recognized in part for his disaster relief work following Hurricane Helene. His efforts have included co-organizing Concert for Carolina with Luke Combs, donating royalties from “Darkest Hour” and supporting rebuilding efforts in North Carolina through his Chief Cares fund. Through Chief Cares, Church has also supported causes including orphanages, relief efforts and humane society shelters.

ACM Lift Every Voice Award: Leslie Fram

Leslie Fram will receive the ACM Lift Every Voice Award.

The award recognizes a country artist, industry leader or affiliate who plays a role in elevating underrepresented voices within country music.

Fram has been a longtime advocate for women and diverse artists in the genre. Through her work at CMT, she launched CMT’s Next Women of Country, helping create more visibility and opportunities for artists including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, Ashley McBryde, Brittney Spencer and others. Her work has also included Change the Conversation, Nashville Music Equality, Equal Access and CMT’s Equal Play initiative.

Other 2026 ACM Winners Being Recognized

In addition to the special award honorees, the 2026 ACM Honors will also recognize Ella Langley, Jessie Jo Dillon, ACM Studio Recording Award winners and ACM Industry Award winners.

Langley was previously announced as ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year, while Dillon was named ACM Songwriter of the Year. ACM Studio Recording Award and Industry Award winners are expected to be announced the week of July 6.

2026 ACM Honors Ticket Information

Tickets for the 2026 ACM Honors will be available first through a presale for ACM A-List subscribers and ACM Members.

The ACM A-List and member ticket presale begins Wednesday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m. CT. Fans can sign up for the ACM A-List email newsletter to receive a presale code.

General public tickets will go on sale Friday, June 26, at 10:00 a.m. CT through AXS.

Who Is Performing at the 2026 ACM Honors?

Performers for the 2026 ACM Honors have not yet been announced.

The Academy of Country Music says performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. This guide will be updated as new details are released.

Will the 2026 ACM Honors Air on TV or Streaming?

The Academy of Country Music has not announced TV or streaming plans for the 2026 ACM Honors.

While ACM Honors has aired or streamed in past years, broadcast details can vary by year. As of now, the confirmed information includes the date, venue, hosts, honorees and ticket information, but no TV or streaming partner has been announced for the 2026 event.

What Is ACM Honors?

ACM Honors is an annual Academy of Country Music event that celebrates special award honorees, studio musicians, industry leaders, songwriters and other winners who are not always recognized during the main ACM Awards broadcast.

The event is known as one of the country music industry’s most respected nights because it highlights the people and projects that shape the genre on stage, behind the scenes and around the world.

2026 ACM Honors FAQ

When is the 2026 ACM Honors?

The 2026 ACM Honors will take place Wednesday, August 19, 2026.

Where is the 2026 ACM Honors?

The 2026 ACM Honors will be held at The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee.

Who is hosting the 2026 ACM Honors?

Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum will host the 2026 ACM Honors.

Who are the 2026 ACM Honors honorees?

The 2026 ACM Honors special award honorees include Bill Anderson, Brett James, C2C: Country to Country, The Carter Family, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, “Landman,” Leslie Fram, Mike Curb and Scott Zolke.

Are tickets available for the 2026 ACM Honors?

Tickets will be available through an ACM A-List and member presale beginning June 24 at 10:00 a.m. CT. General public tickets go on sale June 26 at 10:00 a.m. CT through AXS.

Who is performing at the 2026 ACM Honors?

Performers have not yet been announced.

Will the 2026 ACM Honors be televised?

TV and streaming plans for the 2026 ACM Honors have not yet been announced.

2026 ACM Honors Guide: Date, Venue, Tickets and Honorees

The 2026 ACM Honors will return to Nashville with Carly Pearce and Parker McCollum hosting a night celebrating country artists, songwriters, industry leaders and special award recipients.