The first big country music award show of the year. The ACM Awards are right around the corner, set to air on Sunday, May 17.
The Academy of Country Music, in my book, really kicks off the music awards season. Of course, this isn’t the first music awards held this calendar year, as other major award shows like the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards (peer-voted), the American Music Awards (fan-voted), and the Billboard Music Awards (based on chart performance) are heavy hitters. Still, the ACM Awards are among the first genre-specific award shows held each year, leading up to the CMA Awards, which are held each fall.
This year, the Academy of Country Music is boot scootin’ and booging the awards show to a new location. After being hosted in Frisco, Texas, for the last three years, the ACM Awards announced they are returning to Las Vegas for the 61st annual awards show in 2026.
“You know what happens in Vegas… the 61st ACM Awards! Returning LIVE Sunday, May 17, 2026 from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas!”
The show will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2026. Country music fans can stream the show live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. The return to Las Vegas is to the show’s old stomping ground; before they moved to Texas in 2022, the awards programs were hosted there for 16 years.
And with the nominations for the 61st ACM Awards announced this morning, it appears to be a stellar night highlighting some of the best talent in the industry. Similar to how the women in country music dominated last year’s CMA Awards, that trend continues into 2026, with women fiercely leading the pack of nominees. This is also the second consecutive year women lead the pact, with Ella Langley leading the pack in 2025 with eight nominations.
This year, Megan Moroney racked up the highest number of nominations with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations and then Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven. With Miranda Lambert being the most decorated artist in ACM history with 33 to her name, she very well could extend that number at this year’s awards show.
A few other big things to note ahead of this year’s ACM Awards include Luke Combs being nominated for the 7th year in a row (8th nomination total) for Entertainer of the Year. If he wins, he will complete the coveted Triple Crown of awards. Megan Moroney also appears with a nod in this category for the first time, but is up against stiff competition from 6-time nominee Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and more.
Group of the Year and Duo of the Year highlight some of country music’s hottest names, including 49 Winchester, Flatland Cavalry, Red Clay Strays, and Muscadine Bloodline. After the Red Clay Strays took down Old Dominion for Group of the Year at the CMA Awards last year, I have promised that these groups and duos will continue to shine at music awards.
Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” is up for Single of the Year and Song of the Year, which would continue its domination if she takes home those honors. And just as Ella Langley predicted at last year’s ACM Awards, Carter Faith proved to be the next big name among women, with her debut record Cherry Valley receiving a nod for Album of the Year.
I am very excited to tune into this year’s ACM Awards, and I hope those who take home awards will accurately represent the state of country music.
Take a look at the entire list of nominees below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
Album of the Year
[Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record Company–label(s)]
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Record Company-Label: Leo33
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith; Producer: Tofer Brown; Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green; Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA
Song of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
“Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
