The Academy of Country Music is ready to hand out some hardware. The 61st ACM Awards take place tonight in Las Vegas, with many of Nashville’s biggest names heading to town — with one major exception.
Megan Moroney, who leads the field with nine nominations, including Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year, will be MIA. She announced earlier she was skipping the ceremony to be maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding.
However, the other top contenders will all be in the house and performing, including Miranda Lambert (with eight nods), reigning champ of the Hot 100, Ella Langely (seven), and last year’s big winner, Lainey Wilson (also with seven).
Others taking the stage include Blake Shelton; Cody Johnson; Kacey Musgraves; Little Big Town; Riley Green; Carter Faith; Dan + Shay; Jordan Davis; Kane Brown; The Red Clay Strays; Thomas Rhett; Zach Top; and 2026 ACM Award Artists of the Year recipients Avery Anna and Tucker Wetmore.
Shania Twain will host the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This will be Twain’s first time emceeing the ceremony; she takes the reins from longtime ringmaster Reba McEntire.
The 61st ACM Awards will begin at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and stream on Prime Video.
Keep refreshing to see the winners list updated in real time:
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
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
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
“Am I Okay?” — Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” — Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” — Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later” — Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” — Zach Top
“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
“Trailblazer” — Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had to Be There” — Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later” — Megan Moroney
“A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo” — Stephen Wilson, Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo” — Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” — Cody Johnson
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
Note: The ACM Awards producer Dick Clark Productions is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge and Penske Media Corporation, which owns Gold Derby.
