Some of the current greatest voices in country music will roll into the entertainment capital of the world in a little over a month for the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
The longest-running awards show in country music will be hosted live at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, with performances throughout the night from Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, and more to be announced leading up to the show. The Academy has also officially given a glimpse into the official list of nominees for this year’s 2026 ceremony.
Leading the awards with the most nominations for this year is none other than “Cloud 9” singer Megan Moroney, yielding nine nominations. The Georgia native sets the female-dominating precedent for the night with fellow leading ladies, such as Miranda Lambert, holding eight nominations, as well as Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, both garnering seven nominations each.
This will also be Moroney’s first time nominated for the Entertainer of the Year category, joining the likes of fellow nominees Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and Morgan Wallen. The latter, who’s been avidly distant from attending award shows in the past, only has three nominations this year, including his fourth consecutive nomination for Entertainer of the Year, along with Artist-songwriter of the Year, and his third nomination for Album of the Year with his hit 2025 project, I’m The Problem. He, oddly enough, did not make the cut for Male Artist of the Year this time around.
Many ACM veterans return, such as Chris Stapleton, who, to no surprise, received the most nominations for a male artist, including his fifth consecutive Entertainer of the Year and, insanely, his 11th consecutive nomination for Male Artist of the Year, gaining him six total nominations. Trailing behind is newcomer Zach Top, who has a strong hold on the New Male Artist of the Year category, along with his first for Song of the Year (Artist and Songwriter), Single of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year, bringing him to five total.
This year also marks a momentous first for quite a few new artists, including Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Vincent Mason, Emily Ann Roberts, Hudson Westbrook, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Thelma & James. Carter Faith takes the cake with the massive nomination of her debut album, Cherry Valley, receiving a nomination for Album of the Year.
Additionally, receiving their first-ever nomination at the ACM awards is 49 Winchester, who joins the list of Group of the Year nominees. Disappointingly, despite gaining their first-ever nomination last year for New Duo/Group of the Year, the fan-favorite band, Treaty Oak Revival, received no nominations for 2026. Another notable snub was Turnpike Troubadours, who continue to dominate the genre with almost 20 years in the industry, yet lack both a Group nomination and recognition for their highly praised 2025 album, The Price of Admission.
The show will air live on Amazon Prime Video on May 17 at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, but for now, check out the full list of nominees for each category below:
Full List of Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
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
GROUP OF THE YEAR
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
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
ALBUM OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 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
SONG OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & 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 [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
- Choosin’ Texas – Ella Langley
- I Never Lie – Zach Top
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
- The Fall – Cody Johnson
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- Amen – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
- Don’t Mind If I Do – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
- Trailblazer – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
- You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR [Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
- 6 Months Later – Megan Moroney
- A Song To Sing – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- Cuckoo – Stephen Wilson, Jr.
- Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson
- The Fall – Cody Johnson
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen