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ACM Awards 2026 Nominees and Early Winners Announced
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will be held Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Megan Moroney received nine nominations, the most of any artist. Several categories including New Female Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year were decided before the primetime broadcast on Amazon Prime Video.
May 14, 1:23 PM·1m read3 sources
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The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sunday evening at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. m. EST. Megan Moroney leads the field with nine nominations. Miranda Lambert received eight nominations, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each earned seven.
Women dominated this year's nominations according to the organizers. Wilson won the award in both 2024 and 2025. Other nominees include Zach Top, Red Clay Strays, Reba McEntire, Kelsea Ballerini and Shaboozey. The full list of categories covers artist, album, song, group, duo and newcomer honors.
Showrunners announced four winners ahead of the primetime broadcast. Avery Anna won New Female Artist of the Year. Tucker Wetmore won New Male Artist of the Year. Stephen Wilson Jr. received the Visual Media of the Year award for the “Cuckoo” music video. Jessie Jo Dillon won Songwriter of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Year nominees are Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney and Lainey Wilson. Album of the Year nominees include works by Zach Top, Carter Faith, Riley Green, Morgan Wallen and Parker McCollum. Song of the Year contenders feature entries by Miranda Lambert with Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, Ella Langley, Zach Top and Lainey Wilson.
Performers scheduled for the ceremony include Ella Langley, Kacey Musgraves and Dan + Shay. The show will update winners throughout the broadcast.
