The 2026 ACM Awards Are Being Hosted By Shania Twain On May 17th
After weeks of waiting, everything comes down to one night…the night of the 2026 ACM Awards.
This year’s ACM Awards are being held on Sunday, May 17th. The ceremony is airing live on Amazon Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.
After several years in Texas, the ACM Awards returned to Las Vegas. Country music superstar Shania Twain is hosting the ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Artists featured on the exciting performance lineup included Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Blake Shelton, and Lee Ann Womack.
The ladies led the pack with the most nominations this year. Megan Moroney was the most-nominated artist, earning 9 nods.
Miranda Lambert earned the second-most nominations, with 8, followed by Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley with 7 each. Chris Stapleton earned 6 nominations, Zach Top snagged 5, and Cody Johnson earned 4.
Some of these artists (and others) have the potential to make history with wins at the ACM Awards this year. Will they fulfill that potential?
Find out below by scrolling through the complete list of winners at the 2026 ACM Awards!
See All Of The Winners & Nominees At The 2026 ACM Awards
New Female Artist Of The Year
New Female Artist Of The Year
Avery AnnaWinner
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist Of The Year
Tucker WetmoreWinner
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
The award for New Male Artist of the Year is given to a rising male vocalist in country music.
This award is one of three a male performer has to win in order to qualify for the coveted Triple Crown honor. They also have to (eventually) win Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
Music Event Of The Year
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green featuring Ella Langley (Winner) 
“Amen” – Shaboozey and Jelly Roll
“A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
In 2025, the song that won was Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me.”
The award for Music Event of the Year celebrates an outstanding collaboration released in country music within the past year. The trophy is awarded to the artists, producer(s), and record company/label(s) behind the winning song.
Visual Media Of The Year
“Cuckoo” – Stephen Wilson Jr.Winner
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson- “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Songwriter Of The Year
Jessie Jo Dillon Winner
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter Of The Year
Ella Langley Winner
Luke Combs
Riley Green- Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson won the award for Artist-Songwriter of the Year in 2025.
Some artists take a lot of pride in the fact that they write or co-write most (if not all) of their songs. The ACM introduced the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category in 2023 to recognize successful recording artists who also had a hand in writing their songs.
Duo Of The Year
Brooks & Dunn Winner
Brothers Osbourne
Muscadine Bloodline
Dan + Shay
Thelma & James
Group Of The Year
The Red Clay Strays W inner
Rascal Flatts
Old Dominion
Flatland Calvary
49 Winchester
Song of the Year
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley Winner
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top- “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
- “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
Single Of The Year
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Album Of The Year
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum (Winner) - I’m the Problem – Morgan Wallen
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith- Ain’t in It for My Health – Zach Top
Female Artist Of The Year
The ACM Award for Female Artist of the Year is given to one of the brightest female stars in country music within the past year. As the ACM explains, “The factors to be considered [when selecting a winner] include, but are not limited to, success at radio, consumption, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales, and vocal performances.”
The Female Artist of the Year Award is one of three categories a female performer needs to win to secure the Triple Crown. They also need to win New Female Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year (although not all in the same year).
Lainey Wilson was named the Female Artist of the Year in 2025. Did she win this year? Look below to find the answer…
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Male Artist Of The Year
Much like the award for Female Artist of the Year, the ACM Award for Male Artist of the Year is bestowed upon a male performer who has had a successful year and who demonstrates significant vocal talent.
This is one of three awards a male performer needs to earn to win the Triple Crown, the others being New Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. But those wins don’t have to occur in the same year in order to make them Triple Crown-eligible.
2025’s Male Artist of the Year was Chris Stapleton. Keep scrolling to see if he scored a repeat win…
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
Entertainer Of The Year
The ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year is the top prize presented at any ACM ceremony. Factors the ACM voters consider when choosing a winner include:
“…success at radio, consumption, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry.”
This award is the last piece of the puzzle that leads artists to a Triple Crown victory.
Lainey Wilson won the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year award in 2024 and 2025, making her one of only three female artists to pull off back-to-back wins (the others being Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift). Did she earn a third consecutive win this year, making her the first female performer to do so?
Find the answer below…
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Congratulations to all of the winners at the 2026 ACM Awards!
