2026 ACM Awards Winners — LIVE
on May 17, 2026
The 2026 ACM Awards Are Being Hosted By Shania Twain On May 17th
After weeks of waiting, everything comes down to one night…the night of the 2026 ACM Awards.
This year’s ACM Awards are being held on Sunday, May 17th. The ceremony is airing live on Amazon Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch starting at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.
After several years in Texas, the ACM Awards returned to Las Vegas. Country music superstar Shania Twain is hosting the ceremony at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
RELATED: 12 SNUBS & SURPRISES FROM THE 2026 ACM AWARD NOMINATIONS
Artists featured on the exciting performance lineup included Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Blake Shelton, and Lee Ann Womack.
The ladies led the pack with the most nominations this year. Megan Moroney was the most-nominated artist, earning 9 nods.
Miranda Lambert earned the second-most nominations, with 8, followed by Lainey Wilson and Ella Langley with 7 each. Chris Stapleton earned 6 nominations, Zach Top snagged 5, and Cody Johnson earned 4.
Some of these artists (and others) have the potential to make history with wins at the ACM Awards this year. Will they fulfill that potential?
Find out below by scrolling through the complete list of winners at the 2026 ACM Awards!
See All Of The Winners & Nominees At The 2026 ACM Awards
New Female Artist Of The Year
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Avery Anna
Winner
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Mackenzie Carpenter
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Dasha
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Caroline Jones
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Emily Ann Roberts
The award for New Female Artist of the Year is bestowed upon an emerging female vocalist in country music.
This award is one of three a female performer has to win in order to qualify for the coveted Triple Crown honor. They also have to (eventually) win Female Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
New Male Artist Of The Year
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Tucker Wetmore
Winner
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Gavin Adcock
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Vincent Mason
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Shaboozey
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Hudson Westbrook
The award for New Male Artist of the Year is given to a rising male vocalist in country music.
This award is one of three a male performer has to win in order to qualify for the coveted Triple Crown honor. They also have to (eventually) win Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year.
Music Event Of The Year
The award for Music Event of the Year celebrates an outstanding collaboration released in country music within the past year. The trophy is awarded to the artists, producer(s), and record company/label(s) behind the winning song.
In 2025, the song that won was Ella Langley and Riley Green’s “You Look Like You Love Me.” See this year’s winner below…
- “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
- “Amen” – Shaboozey and Jelly Roll
- “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
- “Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson
- “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney
Visual Media Of The Year
The ACM Award for Visual Media of the Year recognizes the best country music video or piece of visual media released in the past year. This award is given to the artist(s), video producer(s), and video director(s).
This award was presented to the winner early, before the ACM Awards ceremony.
- “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
- “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
- “Cuckoo” – Stephen Wilson Jr. **WINNER**
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Songwriter Of The Year
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Jessie Jo Dillon
Winner
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Ashley Gorley
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Charlie Handsome
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Chase McGill
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Blake Pendergrass
Anyone who loves country music knows that the songwriters are oftentimes the unsung heroes of the genre. They possess a magical power to weave lyrics into stories of heartache, joy, and sorrow. Other times, they simply pen a fun tune to enjoy at the beach, by a bonfire, or at a party with friends and family.
Each year, the ACM takes the time to recognize the talents of those who are mostly known as songwriters (rather than recording artists) with the Songwriter of the Year Award.
Artist-Songwriter Of The Year
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Ella Langley
Winner
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Luke Combs
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Riley Green
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Megan Moroney
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Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson won the award for Artist-Songwriter of the Year in 2025.
Some artists take a lot of pride in the fact that they write or co-write most (if not all) of their songs. The ACM introduced the Artist-Songwriter of the Year category in 2023 to recognize successful recording artists who also had a hand in writing their songs.
Duo Of The Year
The ACM Award for Duo of the Year recognizes an outstanding duo in the country music industry. Brooks & Dunn are the record holders in this category, with 17 wins over the course of their career.
They won the category in 2025, but did they pull off a repeat win this year? Find out below…
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osbourne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
Group Of The Year
The ACM Award for Group of the Year shines a spotlight on the most influential group in country music in the past year. Old Dominion has won this category 8 years in a row, surpassing the previous 7-win record set by Rascal Flatts.
Did they extend their record this year? Look below for the answer…
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Calvary
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
Song Of The Year
According to the ACM, when its voters select a Song of the Year, they should consider “success at radio, consumption, success in digital media, and impact of the song on consumers and the country music industry, with emphasis on the creative integrity of the song.”
In other words, the award is not only meant to celebrate a track’s commercial success, but its lyrical quality. The award is presented to the songwriter(s), publisher(s), and artist(s).
Cody Johnson’s “Dirt Cheap” (written by Josh Phillips), won the category in 2025. Look below to find out which song won this year…
- “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and 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
Unlike the Song of the Year Award, the ACM Award for Single of the Year is more about celebrating a song’s commercial success. Any single nominated for this award peaked within the Top 20 on either the Mediabase country chart or Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
The award for Single of the Year is presented to the artist(s), producer(s), and record company/label(s).
Last year’s winner was “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green. Keep scrolling to see this year’s winning single…
- “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “I Never Lie” – Zach Top
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Album Of The Year
The ACM Award for Album of the Year is bestowed upon an outstanding country album released within the ACM’s eligibility window for a given year. The award is presented to the primary artist(s), the producer(s), and the record company/label(s).
2025’s winning album was Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson. Look below to see who won this 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
Female Artist Of The Year
The ACM Award for Female Artist of the Year is given to one of the brightest female stars in country music within the past year. As the ACM explains, “The factors to be considered [when selecting a winner] include, but are not limited to, success at radio, consumption, success in digital media, live concert ticket sales, and vocal performances.”
The Female Artist of the Year Award is one of three categories a female performer needs to win to secure the Triple Crown. They also need to win New Female Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year (although not all in the same year).
Lainey Wilson was named the Female Artist of the Year in 2025. Did she win this year? Look below to find the answer…
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Male Artist Of The Year
Much like the award for Female Artist of the Year, the ACM Award for Male Artist of the Year is bestowed upon a male performer who has had a successful year and who demonstrates significant vocal talent.
This is one of three awards a male performer needs to earn to win the Triple Crown, the others being New Male Artist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. But those wins don’t have to occur in the same year in order to make them Triple Crown-eligible.
2025’s Male Artist of the Year was Chris Stapleton. Keep scrolling to see if he scored a repeat win…
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
Entertainer Of The Year
The ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year is the top prize presented at any ACM ceremony. Factors the ACM voters consider when choosing a winner include:
“…success at radio, consumption, success of music videos, vocal performances, live concert ticket sales, artistic merit, appearances on television, appearances in films, songwriting, success in digital media, and contributions to the country music industry.”
This award is the last piece of the puzzle that leads artists to a Triple Crown victory.
Lainey Wilson won the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year award in 2024 and 2025, making her one of only three female artists to pull off back-to-back wins (the others being Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift). Did she earn a third consecutive win this year, making her the first female performer to do so?
Find the answer below…
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Congratulations to all of the winners at the 2026 ACM Awards!
