NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 19: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Ella Langley performs onstage during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA
The 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air live on Sunday, May 17, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The ceremony will celebrate some of country music’s biggest names, from legendary artists to breakout stars.
Shania Twain is taking over hosting duties from Reba McEntire, and she has some big shoes to fill. McEntire has hosted or co-hosted the awards show a record-breaking 18 times, the most of any artist in Academy of Country Music history.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 19: EDITORIAL USE ONLY Ella Langley performs onstage during the 59th Annual Country Music Association Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA)
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for CMA
Ahead of her hosting debut, Twain recently told Country Now that hosting the ACM Awards is a “very big deal” for her and that she’s “honored” to serve as MC.
“I’m especially excited because it’s in Las Vegas,” the five-time Grammy winner said. “So I feel like I’m hosting the world audience from my stage hometown, my live hometown, Las Vegas. So it’s really great.”
For the second year in a row, female artists dominated the Academy of Country Music Awards nominations, with Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert and Ella Langley leading several major categories. Lambert, who holds the record for the most ACM wins with 33 victories, earned eight nods this year.
Here’s everything country fans should know about watching the 2026 ACM Awards, including the start time, streaming options, the presenters, performers, nominees and more.
What Time Do The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards Start?
FRISCO, TEXAS – MAY 08: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Lainey Wilson accepts the Album of the Year award for “Whirlwind” onstage during the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards will begin at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 17, on Prime Video and Amazon Music.
For those who want to see the star-studded arrivals, the official red carpet livestream will stream on Amazon Music via the Amazon Music app beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.
How To Watch The 2026 ACM Awards
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 07: Kacey Musgraves accepts the Female Artist of the Year award onstage during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/ACMA2019/FilmMagic for ACM )
FilmMagic for ACM
The 2026 ACMs will air on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and the Amazon Music app.
To watch the awards show on Prime, you’ll need to sign up for an Amazon Prime membership, which costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Or, you can subscribe to Prime Video as a standalone service for $8.99 per month. The platform is currently offering a 30-day free trial.
Who Is Presenting At The 2026 ACM Awards?
FRISCO, TEXAS – MAY 08: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. (L-R) Jelly Roll and Shaboozey perform onstage during the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center at The Star on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
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Presenters tonight include Andrew Whitworth, Ashley McBryde, Carl Edwards, Corey LaJoie, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, and Michael Bublé. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Shaboozey, The War and Treaty, and TJ Osborne are also slated to present ACM awards.
Who Is Performing At The 2026 ACM Awards?
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 19: Riley Green performs onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards at BMI on November 19, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI)
Getty Images for BMI
This year’s ceremony will feature a star-packed lineup of country music’s biggest names. Lainey Wilson is set to debut her new song “Can’t Sit Still,” while Riley Green will take the stage with “Change My Mind.” Kacey Musgraves will also sing a track from her latest studio album, Middle of Nowhere.
Additional performers throughout the evening include Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Cody Johnson, Blake Shelton, Ella Langley and Kane Brown, as well as appearances from Lee Ann Womack, Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore and Zach Top.
Who Is Nominated At The 2026 ACM Awards?
Megan Moroney onstage at the 60th Academy Of Country Music Awards held at the Ford Center at The Star on May 08, 2025 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Rich Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Penske Media via Getty Images
“Tennessee Orange” singer Megan Moroney topped this year’s ACM nominations with nine total nods, including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Close behind was Miranda Lambert with eight nominations, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson earned seven nods apiece.
Nominees for the biggest awards tonight include:
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
Album of the Year
- Ain’t in It for My Health — Zach Top
- Cherry Valley — Carter Faith
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) — Riley Green
- I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
- Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
Song of the Year
- “A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure)
- “Am I Okay?,” Megan Moroney (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon)
- “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor)
- “I Never Lie,” Zach Top (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
- “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)
Single of the Year
- “6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
- “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
- “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” by Cody Johnson
Check out the full list of nominees here.