2026 ACM Awards: Cody Johnson Wins Entertainer of the Year, Ella Langley Sweeps
on May 17, 2026 • Updated May 18, 2026
Cody Johnson took home his first-ever ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards on Sunday night, dedicating country music’s top honor to fellow nominee Luke Combs in a moving acceptance speech.
Ella Langley had the night of her career, sweeping 5 categories: Song of the Year, Single of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Since she had additional nominations in those categories as a songwriter/producer, Langley won a total of 7 awards this year…breaking the record for the most ACM Awards won in a single year.
Additionally, Brooks & Dunn extended their personal record by winning Duo of the Year for an unprecedented 18th time.
After several years in Texas, the ACM Awards returned to Las Vegas this year. Country music superstar Shania Twain hosted 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) had the potential to make history with wins at the ACM Awards this year. Did 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
“I can’t believe this is real life. Thank you God.”
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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.
Avery Anna was the first artist to receive an ACM Award this year. She was surprised with the award for New Female Artist of the Year while performing at the Lone Star Smokeout festival in Arlington, Texas, in April.
Watch the moment when Anna learned she was an ACM winner in the video below!
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.
Tucker Wetmore received his ACM Award prior to the main ACM ceremony. He was performing in London when his mama popped onstage to surprise him.
Then, a video from Thomas Rhett played on the screen next to the stage…and Rhett announced that Wetmore had been named the New Male Artist of the Year!
Watch the emotional moment when his mama surprised him with the trophy in the video below.
Music Event Of The Year
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"Don't Mind If I Do" – Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
Winner
“[I] need to start by thanking my very lovely and talented duet partner, Miss Ella Langley, for being a part of this song.” – Riley Green
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"You Had To Be There" – Megan Moroney and Kenny Chesney
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"Trailblazer" – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson
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"Amen" – Shaboozey and Jelly Roll
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"A Song to Sing" – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
In 2025, the song that won was Ella Langley and Riley Green's "You Look Like You Love Me."
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.
Ella Langley and Riley Green made ACM Awards history when their duet, “Don’t Mind If I Do,” won the Music Event of the Year award. They also won the category last year with “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Only one other set of collaborators has pulled off back-to-back wins in this category…Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. They achieved the feat with wins in 1998 and 1999.
Green spoke when he and Langley took to the stage to accept the trophy. He thanked her for singing with him, and told a story about how she came to record the song and “showed up in her pajamas.”
Langley quipped, “I had on jeans and a t-shirt. Thank you very much.”
Green joked, “She might sleep in those. I don’t know.”
Later, Green could be seen extending his hand to Langley to help her down the stairs. Watch their acceptance speech in the video below!
Visual Media Of The Year
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"Cuckoo" – Stephen Wilson Jr.
Winner
“Thank you forever and ever, amen country music and the @acmawards for this great honor.”
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"The Fall" – Cody Johnson
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"Somewhere Over Laredo" – Lainey Wilson
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"A Song to Sing" – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
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"6 Months Later" – Megan Moroney
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).
Stephen Wilson Jr. was another one of the ACM’s early winners this year. He earned the award for Visual Media of the Year for his Music Video for “Cuckoo.”
He was surprised with the trophy in the recording studio in early May. He shared a video of his reaction on social media, and thanked the video’s director, Tim Cofield, in the caption.
“would love to congratulate my visual media partner & director @t.g.cofield for embracing this feral American vision and bringing it to life.”
Did we mention this was Wilson’s first ACM win ever? Watch his reaction to the news below.
Songwriter Of The Year
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Jessie Jo Dillon
Winner
“I WAS SO SHOCKED OMG.”
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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.
Jessie Jo Dillon was named the ACM’s Songwriter of the Year for 2026 ahead of the main ceremony. This was a monumental win for Dillon, as she became the first songwriter to earn three consecutive victories in the category.
Plus, she’s the first person to win the category three times at all!
Check the post below to see a photo of Dillon with her trophy.
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.
Ella Langley’s winning streak at the 2026 ACM Awards started before the ceremony ever aired! The day before the main event, the ACM announced that she won the Artist-Songwriter of the Year award.
See the picture of her posing with her first of many trophies below!
Duo Of The Year
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Brooks & Dunn
Winner
“I don’t know why y’all aren’t getting sick of us, but God bless you for hanging with us, ’cause we lovin’ it, y’all.” – Kix Brooks
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Brothers Osbourne
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Muscadine Bloodline
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Dan + Shay
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Thelma & James
Brooks & Dunn won the category in 2025, and have now REPEATED in 2026!
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. As of today (5-17-2026), they have now WON this award a staggering 18 times!
Brooks & Dunn extended their record as the most-awarded duo in the ACM’s Duo of the Year category by securing their 18th win at this year’s ceremony.
Even after all these years, Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn are still super surprised and grateful whenever they win. They expressed their shock in their acceptance speech, with Dunn exclaiming, “Ah, crazy man,” as he looked down at their trophy.
Watch Brooks & Dunn’s Duo of the Year speech in the video below!
Group Of The Year
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The Red Clay Strays
Winner
“Thank you, Jesus. Like Ella [Langley] said earlier, [I’m] just at a loss of words…it doesn’t feel real truly. We’re just some rednecks from Mobile, Alabama.” – Brandon Coleman
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Rascal Flatts
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Old Dominion
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Flatland Calvary
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49 Winchester
The ACM Award for Group of the Year shines a spotlight on the most influential group in country music in the past year. Before this year (2026) Old Dominion previously won this category 8 years in a row, surpassing the previous 7-win record set by Rascal Flatts.
There’s a new ACM Award-winning group in town!
This category was dominated by Old Dominion before, as they won it for the past 8 years in a row. But Red Clay Strays broke Old Dominion’s winning streak this year, securing their first win in the category.
The group’s frontman, Brandon Coleman, accepted the trophy onstage. With his bandmates gathered around him, he said:
“…we’re truly grateful and thankful for everybody. Our families back at home, and our team that works for us… and all of the fans who listen and use our music to get through whatever they’re going through. We truly appreciate you guys.”
Watch The Red Clay Strays’ acceptance speech for Group of the Year in the video below!
Song of the Year
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"Choosin' Texas" – Ella Langley
Winner
“Thank you to the fans. I don’t know why you latched onto this song, but thank you for doing it.”
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"Somewhere Over Laredo" – Lainey Wilson
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"I Never Lie" – Zach Top
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"Am I Okay?" – Megan Moroney
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"A Song to Sing" – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
Cody Johnson's "Dirt Cheap" (written by Josh Phillips), won the category in 2025.
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).
One of the most unforgettable moments of the night came when Ella Langley realized she had won Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas.”
Before she ended the night with a stunning 7 awards to her name, she had to get through this emotional acceptance speech. Watch the special moment below.
To bring the heartache of “Choosin’ Texas” to life, Ella called in some serious favors. The music video features a ton of recognizable faces from the country music and Western worlds.
It is easy to spot Miranda Lambert performing and Luke Grimes playing the runaway lover, but can you name the other 12 Texas musicians and rodeo icons scattered around the bar? Hit play below and test your knowledge.
Single Of The Year
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"Choosin' Texas" – Ella Langley
Winner
“I’m just so thankful that Ella trusted me with her art,” – Miranda Lambert, who co-wrote and co-produced “Choosin’ Texas” with Langley.
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"The Fall" – Cody Johnson
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"Somewhere Over Laredo" – Lainey Wilson
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"I Never Lie" – Zach Top
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"6 Months Later" – Megan Moroney
Last year's winner was "You Look Like You Love Me" by Ella Langley and Riley Green.
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).
Since Langley already said so much about the power of “Choosin’ Texas” when she accepted the award for Song of the Year, she let her co-writer and co-producer, Miranda Lambert, speak during most of her acceptance speech for Single of the Year.
“Thank you all for loving a country song. We love you so much for it. Thank you,” Lambert said.
Watch her and Langley’s acceptance speech for Single of the Year in the video below!
Album Of The Year
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Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
Winner
“For Texas, for Conroe, Texas, from Montgomery County. Thank you so much.”
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I'm the Problem – Morgan Wallen
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Don't Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
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Cherry Valley – Carter Faith
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Ain't in It for My Health – Zach Top
2025's winning album was Whirlwind by Lainey Wilson.
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).
In what was perhaps the most surprising win of the night, Parker McCollum claimed the Album of the Year trophy for his self-titled album. This was McCollum’s first win in the category and his third ACM win overall in his career.
He devoted a large part of his speech to his wife, Hallie, who is currently expecting their second child. He said:
“They ought to give you one of these with your name on it. For what you’ve done to my life…anything that I’m involved in is better because of you. I love you.”
Watch McCollum’s acceptance speech in the video below.
Female Artist Of The Year
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Ella Langley
Winner
“Thank you to the women. I would not be standing up here without that.”
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Lainey Wilson
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Megan Moroney
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Miranda Lambert
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Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson was named the Female Artist of the Year in 2025.
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).
Although Langley was quite familiar with being up on the ACM stage at this point in the ceremony, her win for Female Artist of the Year left her at a loss for words. She fought back tears and got choked up as she thanked her fellow nominees and her family.
“I’m trying to get to say something, but I can’t. Thank you, to the women in this category, to the women…in this life…”
“I would not be standing up here without… just the encouragement of so many women.”
She added, “Thank you Jesus, for letting me do this for a living.“
Then, Langley closed her speech by saying, “Thank you to the women. I would not be standing up here without that.” She blew the crowd a kiss before walking away from the microphone.
Watch Langley’s emotional acceptance speech for Female Artist of the Year in the video below.
Male Artist Of The Year
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Cody Johnson
Winner
“Without sounding too cliché, I will say, the ride has been worth the fall.”
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Zach Top
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Chris Stapleton
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Riley Green
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Luke Combs
2025's Male Artist of the Year was Chris Stapleton.
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.
Before he was officially crowned the 2026 Entertainer of the Year, Cody Johnson took home Male Artist of the Year with one of the most eloquent speeches of the night.
“I have been in uh so many places in my life that I shouldn’t even be on this stage…” Johnson said, adding, “without the grace and the mercy and the forgiveness of Jesus, I wouldn’t be here tonight.”
He also thanked his wife, Brandi, who was home with their three children.
“She believed in this crazy bull rider prison guard that wanted to play music and sing…so baby, I love you.”
Watch Johnson’s (well-deserved) ACM Male Artist of the Year acceptance speech below.
Entertainer Of The Year
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Cody Johnson
Winner
“Whether we’re crying, whether we’re laughing, whether we’re happy or sad, I get to convey that through this thing that God gave me called music. And…it’s the greatest drug that has ever been introduced on planet Earth.”
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Lainey Wilson
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Morgan Wallen
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Chris Stapleton
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Jelly Roll
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Megan Moroney
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Luke Combs
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).
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.
When Cody Johnson took the stage to accept his first-ever Entertainer of the Year award, he didn’t make it entirely about himself.
Instead, he delivered a heartfelt tribute to Luke Combs’ dedication to country music, recalling the “anguish” Combs went through missing his son’s birth while on tour in Australia a few years ago.
“So tonight, I want to dedicate my first entertainer of the year award to my buddy Luke Combs. I love you, brother.”
Grab a tissue and watch one of the classiest acceptance speeches in ACM history below.
Congratulations to Cody Johnson and all of the winners at the 2026 ACM Awards!
