The Academy Of Country Music Awards Return For 61st Year
The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, will be the setting for the 61st ACM Awards on May 17th. Established in 1966, it is the longest-running country music awards show.
The annual event promises “unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars.” The highly anticipated awards show brings together top talent in country music to celebrate the genre’s accomplishments annually.
For the fifth year, the ACMs will air exclusively via livestream. Fans can watch live on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. The show will also be broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and in the Amazon Music app.
Performers & Nominees Announced
As the event nears, artists are being added to the talent-packed lineup for the show. Lainey Wilson will premiere her new single “Can’t Sit Still” for the first time, and Riley Green will perform “Change My Mind.”
Additional performers whose song selections have not yet been announced include Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Cody Johnson.
On April 9th, the nominees were announced for all award categories. Megan Moroney leads the pack with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson scored seven nominations each.
Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Check back for updates!
ACM Awards Name 2026 Host
On Wednesday, April 22nd, less than one month before the ceremony, the ACM Awards announced that the 2026 host will be Shania Twain! The best-selling female artist is no stranger to the awards, having taken home three ACM trophies in her career.
This will be Shania’s first time hosting the event, taking over for Reba McEntire, who served as host for the last two years. The “Man! I Feel Like A Woman” singer shared in a press release:
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home. 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.”
