Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 ACM Awards: Hosts, Performers, Nominees, and More
From Shania Twain’s hosting debut to a star-packed lineup of performers and presenters, here’s everything to know ahead of the 2026 ACM Awards in Las Vegas.
Tucker Wetmore, Kacey Musgraves, Zach Top, Carter Faith; Photos Provided
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are almost here! Before Country Music’s biggest stars take over Las Vegas, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the big night.
Host
Shania Twain will host the ACM Awards for the very first time.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain shared. “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.”
Date and Location
The 2026 ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
How to Watch
The show will stream live exclusively on Prime Video for a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories beginning at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT.
Presenters
This year’s presenters include Andrew Whitworth (Super Bowl champion and Thursday Night Football analyst), Ashley McBryde (three-time ACM Award-winning artist), Carl Edwards (NASCAR Hall of Famer), Corey LaJoie (NASCAR driver and Stacking Pennies podcast co-host), Keith Urban (2025 ACM Triple Crown Award recipient and 14-time ACM Award-winning artist), Lauren Alaina (ACM Award-winning artist), Michael Bublé (five-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist), Ryan Fitzpatrick (former NFL quarterback and Thursday Night Football analyst), Shaboozey (four-time ACM Award-nominated artist), The War And Treaty (Emmy Award-winning and three-time ACM Award-nominated duo), and TJ Osborne (member of seven-time ACM Award-winning duo Brothers Osborne).
Performers
The performance lineup includes Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Cody Johnson, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Lee Ann Womack, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.
Nominees
The nominees were announced in early April, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson leading the pack. Chris Stapleton earned six nominations, followed by Zach Top with five and Cody Johnson with four. A full list of nominees can be viewed HERE.
Winners
Several winners have already been revealed ahead of the show, including Avery Anna (New Female Artist of the Year), Tucker Wetmore (New Male Artist of the Year), Stephen Wilson Jr. (Visual Media of the Year), and Jessie Jo Dillon (Songwriter of the Year). Additional winners will be announced during the live broadcast. We’ll be keeping track of the winners HERE.
Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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