2026 Academy of Country Music Awards: Exciting Changes, Shania Twain Hosting, and Female Artists Leading Nominations
Get ready for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, as they are set to bring some exciting changes this year. Shania Twain will be hosting the awards for the first time, replacing Reba McEntire. The event will be held on May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, a departure from the previous location in Frisco, Texas. Women are leading the nominations this year, with Megan Moroney at the forefront.
To catch all the action, tune in to the 2026 ACM Awards streaming on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and the Amazon Music app on May 17 at 8 p.m. EDT. Moroney leads the nominations with nine nods, followed closely by Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson. The competition is fierce, with artists like Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, and Cody Johnson also in the running for various awards.
The entertainer of the year category features a diverse lineup, including Moroney, Wilson, Stapleton, Johnson, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen. Last year's winner, Wilson, will face tough competition in this category. The album of the year nominees include Wallen, Top, Green, McCollum, and Faith, showcasing a mix of established and new talent in the industry.
This year's nominations highlight the growing presence of female artists in country music. Artists like Moroney, Lambert, Langley, and Wilson are leading the charge, signaling a positive shift in the industry. The focus on female talent is a step in the right direction, as artists like Ashley McBryde acknowledge the progress being made in creating more opportunities for women in country music.
Unlike previous years, there isn't a single dominating song this time around. The single of the year category features a diverse selection of tracks from artists like Lambert, Stapleton, Moroney, Langley, and Wilson. The lineup promises a night of great performances and fierce competition among some of the biggest names in country music.
The star-studded lineup of performers includes Lambert, Langley, Top, Faith, Wilson, Johnson, Green, Musgraves, Little Big Town, Shelton, Dan + Shay, Davis, Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Rhett, Anna, and Wetmore. With such a talented roster, the 2026 ACM Awards are sure to be a night to remember. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of this year's ACM Awards.