Shania Twain To Host 2026 ACM Awards
“It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars…”
Shania Twain; Photo Provided
Shania Twain will host the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, the Academy of Country Music (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced today.
The legendary entertainer is set to take the stage as host of the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, set for Sunday, May 17, 2026, airing at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The upcoming ceremony will mark Twain’s first time hosting the show.
“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.”
“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside added. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”
Back in its Sunday night slot, the Emmy-nominated, star-studded ACM Awards will deliver unforgettable performances, one-of-a-kind collaborations, and surprise moments from some of country music’s biggest names, including Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more performers to be revealed in the coming weeks.
Nominees were revealed earlier this month, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson leading the pack.
The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively on Prime Video for viewers in more than 240 countries and territories. Fans can also tune in via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and within the Amazon Music app.
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com.
In the days leading up to the ceremony, the Academy of Country Music will bring a full slate of events to Las Vegas. Festivities kick off Thursday, May 14 with the “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas featuring Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry.
On Friday, May 15, “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” takes over Topgolf Las Vegas with appearances by Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, Rodney Atkins, and headliner Riley Green. The weekend continues Saturday, May 16 with “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, showcasing Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
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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