The Academy of Country Music Awards returned for its 61st instalment on May 17th, 2026. After a spell in Frisco, Texas, the ceremony made its way back to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, with country-pop legend Shania Twain serving as the host.

Ella Langley took home the most gongs, with the ‘Choosin’ Texas’ hitmaker securing a whopping seven wins, including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Cody Johnson took home the biggest award of the evening, Entertainer of the Year, for the first time ever, as well as winning Male Artist of the Year.

Refreshingly, women led the 2026 list of nominations, with Megan Moroney heading up the roster with a whopping nine nominations, while Miranda Lambert secured eight. Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson followed closely behind with seven nods apiece.

Parker McCollum was the surprise winner in the Album of the Year category, with his lauded but commercially under-appreciated self-titled 2025 project being crowned victor. The Red Clay Strays won Group of the Year, ending Old Dominion's lengthy winning streak, while country legends Brooks & Dunn won Duo of the Year.

There were a host of dazzling performances, with Riley Green delivering a simmering rendition of ‘Change My Mind’, Ella Langley serenading viewers with ‘Be Her’, Dan & Shay performing their comeback single, ’Say So’, and Kacey Musgraves serving up a stellar live version of ‘Dry Spell’. We were also treated to stunning live sets from Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore, Shania Twain, Kane Brown and more.

One of our favourite performances of the night was Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis’ playful take on ‘Ain't A Bad Life’, taken from Rhett's brilliant About a Woman (Deluxe) project.

Another highlight was undoubtedly when Johnson decided to offer a heartwarming tribute to his buddy and former tour-mate, Luke Combs, during his Entertainer of the Year acceptance speech, expressing his gratitude for their camaraderie. It epitomised the spirit of warmth and togetherness that permeated the evening's ceremony, which was focussed on celebrating another fantastic year of country music, rather than on creating division and competitiveness.

Winners & Nominees

Entertainer of the Year

Luke Combs

Jelly Roll

Cody Johnson (WINNER)

Megan Moroney

Chris Stapleton

Morgan Wallen

Lainey Wilson

Female Artist of the Year

Kelsea Ballerini

Miranda Lambert

Ella Langley (WINNER)

Megan Moroney

Lainey Wilson

Male Artist of the Year

Luke Combs

Riley Green

Cody Johnson (WINNER)

Chris Stapleton

Zach Top

Group of the Year

49 Winchester

Flatland Cavalry

Old Dominion

Rascal Flatts

The Red Clay Strays (WINNER)

Duo of the Year

Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)

Brothers Osborne

Dan + Shay

Muscadine Bloodline

Thelma & James

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 (WINNER)

Song of the Year

“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney

“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (WINNER)

“I Never Lie” – Zach Top

“Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney

“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (WINNER)

“I Never Lie” – Zach Top

“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson

“The Fall” – Cody Johnson

Visual Media of the Year

“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney

“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

“Cuckoo” - Stephen Wilson, Jr. (WINNER)

“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson

“The Fall” – Cody Johnson

Music Event of the Year

“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton

“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll

“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley (WINNER)

“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert & Lainey Wilson

“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney

Songwriter of the Year

Jessie Jo Dillon (WINNER)

Ashley Gorley

Charlie Handsome

Chase McGill

Blake Pendergrass

Artist-Songwriter of the Year

Luke Combs

Riley Green

Ella Langley (WINNER)

Megan Moroney

Morgan Wallen

New Male Artist of the Year

Gavin Adcock

Vincent Mason

Shaboozey

Hudson Westbrook

Tucker Wetmore (WINNER)

New Female Artist of the Year

Avery Anna (WINNER)

Mackenzie Carpenter

Dasha

Caroline Jones

Emily Ann Roberts

For more on the ACM Awards, see below: