ACM Awards 2026: Nominees, Performers, and How to Watch/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards will stream May 17 with major changes, including a new host and location. Megan Moroney leads nominations with nine, followed by top country stars. Women dominate this year’s nominations, signaling a shift in the country music landscape.
ACM Awards 2026 Quick Looks
- Academy of Country Music Awards airs May 17
- Shania Twain hosts for the first time
- Event moves to MGM Grand Garden Arena
- Megan Moroney leads with 9 nominations
- Miranda Lambert earns 8 nominations
- Women dominate major award categories
- Show streams on Prime Video and Twitch
- Star-studded performer lineup announced
Deep Look
When and Where to Watch
NEW YORK — The Academy of Country Music Awards return on May 17, streaming live at 8 p.m. EDT.
Fans can watch the ceremony on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and the Amazon Music app.
This year marks a major location change, with the event moving to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after three years in Texas.
Shania Twain Takes the Stage as Host
For the first time, Shania Twain will host the ceremony, replacing longtime host Reba McEntire.
Her debut as host is one of the biggest changes this year, adding fresh energy to the long-running awards show.
Megan Moroney Leads Nominations
Megan Moroney tops the nominations with nine nods, solidifying her breakout success.
Close behind:
- Miranda Lambert with eight nominations
- Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each
- Chris Stapleton with six
- Zach Top with five
- Cody Johnson with four
Entertainer of the Year Race
The top category includes a mix of established stars and rising talent:
- Lainey Wilson
- Chris Stapleton
- Cody Johnson
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Morgan Wallen
- Megan Moroney
Wilson won the award in 2025 and is aiming for another victory.
Album of the Year Highlights
Nominees for album of the year include:
- I’m the Problem
- Ain’t In It For My Health
- Don’t Mind If I Do
- Parker McCollum
- Cherry Valley
The category reflects a wide range of styles and artists across country music.
Women Lead the Industry Shift
A standout trend this year is the dominance of female artists in nominations.
Ashley McBryde praised the shift, saying, “I think it is so cool.”
She added: “But I think we’ve managed — me, Miranda (Lambert), Carly (Pearce), Kelsey (Ballerini), we’ve been trying to build a table, and we’ve been trying for years to make the table bigger, and now it is. And I’m looking forward to operating in the environment that we built.”
Despite progress, she acknowledged competition remains strong among artists.
Performers Set to Take the Stage
The 2026 show features a packed lineup of performers, including:
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Zach Top
- Carter Faith
- Lainey Wilson
- Kacey Musgraves
- Blake Shelton
- Dan + Shay
- Kane Brown
- Thomas Rhett
The diverse lineup promises a high-energy show featuring both established stars and emerging voices.
What to Expect
With a new host, new location, and a strong showing from female artists, the 2026 ACM Awards reflect a changing country music industry.
Fans can expect a competitive night, major performances, and potentially historic wins.
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