2026 ACM Nominations Are In — One Name Leads The Pack

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Nominations announced for the 61st annual ACM Awards (Academy of Country Music)

Celebrate The ACM Awards On May 17th

The 61st annual ACM Awards will air live from the  MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans can expect “unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars.”

Established in 1966, it is the longest-running awards show in country music. As we near the 2026 event, more details are being revealed. Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, and Cody Johnson were announced as the first wave of performers confirmed for the show.

acm performers
Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green to perform at the ACM Awards (Academy of Country Music)

Earlier this week, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, and Little Big Town were added to the performance lineup. More “unforgettable performances, presenters, ACM Awards Week events,” as well as the host, are said to be announced in the coming weeks.

acm awards performers
Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Miranda Lambert to perform at the ACM Awards (Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music)

List Of ACM Nominations Revealed

On Thursday, April 9th, the Academy of Country Music revealed the complete list of 2026 nominees. Two categories were announced early on that morning’s episode of TODAY—Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year.

More ACM nominations were announced on the ACM’s social media accounts throughout the morning. Megan Moroney leads the pack with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson scored seven nominations each.

Artists can be double-nominated in categories as songwriters, producers, etc. So for example, you will only see Megan’s name mentioned seven times below, but she earned two extra nods for “behind-the-scenes” involvement on her nominated work.

The winners will be announced live during the ACM Awards Ceremony on May 17th. The show is available to a global audience via Prime Video and will also be streamed on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and in the Amazon Music app.

See the list of ACM nominations below!

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

Music Event of the Year

  • “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

  • “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
  • “A Song to Sing” – Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
  • “Cuckoo” – Stephen Wilson Jr.
  • “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
  • “The Fall” – Cody Johnson

Songwriter Of The Year

  • Jessie Jo Dillion
  • Ashley Gorley
  • Charlie Handsome
  • Chase McGill
  • Blake Pendergrass

Artist-Songwriter Of The Year

  • Luke Combs
  • Riley Green
  • Ella Langley
  • Megan Moroney
  • Morgan Wallen

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

Duo of the Year

  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Brothers Osbourne
  • Dan + Shay
  • Muscadine Bloodline
  • Thelma & James

Group of the Year

  • 49 Winchester
  • Flatland Calvary
  • Old Dominion
  • Rascal Flatts
  • The Red Clay Strays

Song of the 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

  • “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

  • 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

Entertainer of the Year

  • Luke Combs
  • Cody Johnson
  • Megan Moroney
  • Jelly Roll
  • Chris Stapleton
  • Morgan Wallen
  • Lainey Wilson

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Amanda Tubbs

Amanda Tubbs was born and raised in the small mountain town of Lake Arrowhead, California, but spent a decade in San Diego after attending San Diego State University where she studied Communication and Marketing. In 2022, she relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, and is thrilled to call it home after planning the move for years. Her…

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