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The biggest names in country music are gearing up for the event Academy of Country Music Awards 2026.
The 61st annual awards show will move from Texas to Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17.
“We are beyond excited to return to the MGM Grand next May for the 61st ACM Awards, a place that is home to a rich history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like coming home to us,” said Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said in a statement in December 2025. “There’s no better place to host an exciting celebration of global country music than in wonderful Las Vegas!”
Jay PenskeThe CEO of Dick Clark Productions added in his own statement that 2026 will be “a special year for the ACM.”
The Academy of Country Music Awards are celebrating their 60th anniversary with a star-studded ceremony hosted by country legend Reba McEntire. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 8, at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, with performances by Blake Shelton, Lenny Wilson, Kelsey Ballerini, Clint Black, Miranda Lambert and more. (…)
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Who’s performing at ACM 2026?
The Academy of Country Music Awards will feature performances from Cody Johnson, Lenny Wilson, Riley Green, Little big town, Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves. Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, Thomas Rhett, Zach Tope, Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore and Red Clay Strays will also perform on stage.
2026 ACM Nominations Announced
Nominations for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards were announced on April 9, including Megan Moroney Leading with nine nominations. Miranda Lambert follows with eight nods, while Ella Langley and Lenny Wilson each have seven nods.
“Nine seems like a good number,” Moroney wrote on her Instagram Story. “Thank you @acmawards.”
Moroney nominated Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (as artist and songwriter), Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year, Visual Media of the Year (as artist and director) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year.
Morrone is up for Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs, jelly roll, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen and Wilson, who won the category during the 2025 ceremony.
“Good morning @acmawards, nice to meet you?” Wilson wrote via her 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 nominated for Female Artist of the Year Kelsey BalleriniLangley and Lambert. Riley Green, Zach TopMeanwhile, Combs, Johnson and Stapleton are in the running for Male Entertainer of the Year.
Other ACM nominees include Reba McEntire, Shabz, 49 Winchester, Gavin Adcock, Avery Anna, Brooks and Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Mackenzie Carpenter, Kenny ChesneyDan + Shay, Dasha, Carter Faith, level cavalry, Caroline Jones, Vincent Mason, Parker McCollum, Muscadine Bloodline, Old Dominion, Rogue Flats, Red Dirt Wanderers, Emily Ann Roberts, Thelma and James, Hudson Westbrook, Tucker Wetmore and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Who will host ACM 2026?
Shania Twain will host 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards.
“I’m excited to host the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain said in an April 2026 statement. “It’s such an honor to be a part of this incredible night celebrating country music’s biggest stars, especially with 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 ACM 2026
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, and simultaneously on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The show will also be streamed live on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel and standalone app.