The ACM Awards 2026 are just around the corner, and the country music world is buzzing with excitement. The 61st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, streaming live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Shania Twain will host the ceremony, and this year’s nominations are dominated by powerhouse women — with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson leading the way.
Who’s Nominated at the ACM Awards 2026?
Megan Moroney leads all nominees with nine nominations, including her first-ever nod for Entertainer of the Year — a testament to how far her star has risen in country music. Miranda Lambert follows with eight nominations, underscoring why she is the most decorated artist in ACM Awards history. Lambert’s nominations include recognition as a songwriter and producer on Ella Langley’s smash hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each received seven nominations, making this one of the most women-dominated ACM Awards nomination rounds in recent memory. The depth of female talent in country music right now is genuinely remarkable.
Who’s Performing at the ACM Awards 2026?
The ACM Awards 2026 stage is stacked with incredible live performances. Confirmed performers include Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, and Little Big Town. Lainey Wilson, who delivered a show-stopping set last year, is expected to bring her signature rock-and-country swagger to the MGM Grand stage. Kacey Musgraves is set to perform material from her new album Middle of Nowhere, released May 1, making her performance one of the most anticipated of the night. Cody Johnson and Riley Green bring traditional country credibility, while Little Big Town’s harmonies are always a highlight of any live broadcast.
What This Year’s ACM Means for Country Music
The 2026 ACM Awards feel like a genuine moment of transition and celebration for the genre. The domination of women in the nominations — led by Moroney, Lambert, Langley, and Wilson — reflects a broader shift in Nashville’s commercial and creative landscape. Megan Moroney’s rise to Entertainer of the Year contender represents one of country music’s most remarkable ascents in recent years. Miranda Lambert, with eight nominations, continues to prove she is the backbone of modern country. Shania Twain as host brings a sense of legacy and showmanship that promises to make the evening as entertaining as the music itself. The show airs May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET exclusively on Prime Video.
Frequently Asked: When and Where Are the ACM Awards 2026?
The 61st Annual ACM Awards 2026 take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show streams live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Shania Twain is the host, and Megan Moroney leads all nominees with nine nominations, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight.
ACM Awards 2026: Confirmed Performers
- Lainey Wilson
- Miranda Lambert
- Kacey Musgraves
- Cody Johnson
- Riley Green
- Little Big Town
Don’t miss a single moment of the ACM Awards 2026 — set your Prime Video reminder now for May 17 and get ready for an unforgettable night of live country music in Las Vegas. With Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, and so many incredible artists in the running, it’s going to be one for the books. Keep following Sunset Country Fest for full ACM Awards 2026 coverage, winner announcements, and all the biggest moments from the show.