The 2026 ACM Awards: A Celebration of Country Music's Rising Stars
The Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by the legendary Shania Twain, is set to take place on Sunday night, streaming exclusively on Prime Video. With a record-high membership of over 5,000 members, the ACM Awards are a celebration of the best in country music, and this year's ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair.
Megan Moroney leads the nominees with nine nominations, followed closely by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each. Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, and Cody Johnson also received multiple nominations, showcasing the diverse talent in the country music industry.
The awards are voted on by members of the Academy of Country Music, ensuring a fair and representative selection process. The eligibility period for submissions was the calendar year 2025, allowing for a wide range of recent music to be considered.
One of the most anticipated categories is ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, with Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson all in the running. The FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR category features Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson, showcasing the strength of female talent in country music.
The MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR category includes Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Zach Top, highlighting the diverse range of male artists making waves in the genre.
GROUP OF THE YEAR and DUO OF THE YEAR categories will also be hotly contested, with 49 Winchester, Flatland Cavalry, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, and The Red Clay Strays, as well as Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, Muscadine Bloodline, and Thelma & James, all vying for top honors.
The NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR and NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR categories introduce emerging talent, with Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones, and Emily Ann Roberts, as well as Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason, Shaboozey, Hudson Westbrook, and Tucker Wetmore, all making their mark on the industry.
The ALBUM OF THE YEAR category will feature a range of albums, with Zach Top's 'Ain’t In It For My Health' and Carter Faith's 'Cherry Valley' among the nominees. Riley Green's 'Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe)' and Morgan Wallen's 'I’m The Problem' are also in the running, showcasing the diverse sounds and styles of country music.
The SONG OF THE YEAR category will be a celebration of songwriting talent, with Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton's 'A Song To Sing' and Megan Moroney's 'Am I Okay?' among the nominees. Ella Langley's 'Choosin’ Texas' and Zach Top's 'I Never Lie' also received nominations, highlighting the creativity and storytelling in country music.
The SINGLE OF THE YEAR category will feature a range of popular songs, with Megan Moroney's '6 Months Later', Ella Langley's 'Choosin’ Texas', Zach Top's 'I Never Lie', Lainey Wilson's 'Somewhere Over Laredo', and Cody Johnson's 'The Fall' all in the running.
The MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR category will showcase the best live performances, with Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton's 'A Song To Sing', Shaboozey and Jelly Roll's 'Amen', Riley Green's 'Don’t Mind If I Do' feat. Ella Langley, and Megan Moroney's 'You Had To Be There' with Kenny Chesney all nominated.
The VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR category will recognize the best music videos, with Megan Moroney's '6 Months Later', Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton's 'A Song To Sing', Stephen Wilson, Jr.'s 'Cuckoo', Lainey Wilson's 'Somewhere Over Laredo', and Cody Johnson's 'The Fall' all in the running.
The SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR and ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR categories will celebrate the talent behind the music, with Jessie Jo Dillon, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Chase McGill, and Blake Pendergrass, as well as Luke Combs, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Morgan Wallen, all recognized for their contributions.
The 2026 ACM Awards promise to be a celebration of country music's diverse talent, with a range of categories recognizing the best in the industry. With a record-high membership and a diverse range of nominees, the ACM Awards are a testament to the enduring popularity and creativity of country music.
