Country music’s longest-running award show, the 61st annual ACMs, will take over the MGM Grand Garden Arena in almost two weeks on Sunday, May 17.
With previously set live performances throughout the show from Cody Johnson, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, and more, the Las Vegas event has also just announced 11 brand new faces to the night’s lineup. The Academy of Country Music will showcase none other than dominating rising stars, Ella Langley and Zach Top.
This comes as a no-brainer with Langley continuing to make waves following her unstoppable success of “Choosin’ Texas” and the release of her sophomore album, Dandelion. The Alabama native raked in seven nominations this year, including female artist of the year, and a nod to her Texas anthem as song of the year.
The same goes for Top, who has been promoted to the male artist of the year category for the first time after being last year’s new male artist of the year winner. The “I Never Lie” singer is nominated for five categories this time around.
Continuing on their exciting recognition as the 2026 ACM new artists of the year, both Avery Anna and Tucker Wetmore are set to make an appearance. Likewise, first-time performers The Red Clay Strays and Carter Faith (who received her first-ever nomination for Album of the Year) will also hit the stage.
Additionally, the Sunday night awards will feature the likes of Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, and Thomas Rhett. The Academy also recently announced that first-time host Shania Twain will take the reins on the show, streaming live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. CT.

