The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will air live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17
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NEED TO KNOW
- Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 ACM Awards
- The awards show will air live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17
- Shania Twain will host the ACM Awards for the first time
The 2026 ACM Awards have arrived!
The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are happening on Sunday, May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, where some of the genre's biggest stars will be celebrated for their musical contributions throughout the past year.
This year's awards show will feature big names, both presenting and accepting awards, as well as memorable performances throughout the night.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 ACM Awards.
Who is hosting the 2026 ACM Awards?
In April, Shania Twain was announced as the host of the 2026 ACM Awards, marking her first time hosting the ceremony.
In a statement at the time, the "Still the One" singer shared that she was "thrilled" to be taking on the gig in a city "that feels like home."
“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," Twain, 60, said at the time.
Previously, she has won five ACM Awards, including the Poet's Award in 2022, Entertainer of the Year in 2000, the Double-Diamond Award for The Woman in Me and Come on Over in 1999 and both Album of the Year for The Woman in Me as well as Top New Female Vocalist in 1996.
Who is nominated at the 2026 ACM Awards?
This year, Megan Moroney earned the most nominations with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each landed seven nods.
Check out all of PEOPLE's full ACM Awards coverage here.
Other top nominees include Chris Stapleton with six nods, followed by Zach Top with five and Cody Johnson with four.
Moroney, 28, Wilson, 33, Stapleton, 48, Johnson, 38, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen were all nominated for the coveted Entertainer of the Year category.
First-time nominees at this year's ceremony include 49 Winchester, Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Carter Faith, Caroline Jones, Vincent Mason and Emily Ann Roberts.
Who is performing at the 2026 ACM Awards?
The list of performers at this year's awards ceremony is stacked! Wilson will premiere her song "Can't Sit Still," and Riley Green is set to perform "Change My Mind."
Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves will play a new song from her new album Middle of Nowhere.
Lambert, Little Big Town, Johnson, Blake Shelton, Langley and Kane Brown will also be taking the stage.
Other performers include Lee Ann Womack, Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore and Zach Top.
Who is presenting at the 2026 ACM Awards?
This year's list of presenters at the ACM Awards is star-studded and features 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 will also be presenting.
Credit: Jason Davis/WireImage; Emma McIntyre/Getty; Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty
How to watch the 2026 ACM Awards?
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live on Prime Video and Amazon Music from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17.
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