Full Breakdown
61st Academy of Country Music Awards Expands Performer Lineup for 2026 Telecast
5/3/2026, 6:13:09 AM
Event Overview: Expanded Performer Roster and Broadcast Details
- The 61st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, 17 May 2026.
- Shania Twain will serve as host.
- The ceremony will be streamed live worldwide on Prime Video, with additional access via the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and the Amazon Music app.
- Streaming times: 8 p.m. Eastern Time (5 p.m. Pacific) on 17 May; 10 a.m. Australian Eastern Standard Time on 18 May.
- Tickets are available for purchase through AXS.
Background & Context: ACM Awards Evolution and Streaming Milestones
- Established in 1966, the ACM Awards are the longest-running country-music awards show.
- In 2022, the ACM Awards became the first major awards ceremony to livestream exclusively, partnering with Prime Video.
- The 2026 edition continues the partnership, extending live coverage to over 240 countries and territories.
Key Performers and Nomination Highlights
- Eleven additional performers were announced: Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.
- Previously confirmed performers include Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, and Riley Green.
- New-artist award winners Tucker Wetmore (male) and Avery Anna (female) will also perform, following ACM tradition.
Data & Statistics: Nominations and Performer Count
- The announced lineup includes 11 newly added performers and six previously confirmed artists (Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson, Little Big Town, Riley Green), for a total of at least 17 performers.
- Leading nominee: Megan Moroney with nine nominations.
- Miranda Lambert follows with eight nominations.
- Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each hold seven nominations, including female artist of the year, single of the year, and song of the year for Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas.”
- Chris Stapleton has six nominations; Zach Top has five; Cody Johnson and Riley Green each have four.
- The ceremony will honor categories across gender, genre, and new-artist recognitions.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Academy of Country Music announced the expanded lineup, confirming Shania Twain as host and detailing the global livestream arrangement.
- Executive producers Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton (showrunner), Damon Whiteside (ACM), Jay Penske, Barry Adelman (DCP), and John Saade (Amazon MGM Studios) are credited with production oversight.
Impact and Significance
- The increased representation of female artists among nominees and performers underscores a broader industry focus on gender diversity.
- Global livestream distribution reinforces the ACM Awards’ role in expanding country music’s international audience.
- The inclusion of new-artist award winners on the telecast highlights the ACM’s commitment to emerging talent.
Timeline of Announcements and Broadcast
- 2 May 2026: ACM announces eleven additional performers.
- 17 May 2026, 8 p.m. ET: Live broadcast of the awards ceremony.
- 18 May 2026, 10 a.m. AEST: International streaming feed available.
- 14–16 May 2026: ACM Awards week events (Whiskey Jam Welcome Party, Lifting Lives Country on the Green, Next Wave Beach Bash).
What's Next: ACM Awards Week Activities
- Thursday, 14 May: Whiskey Jam Welcome Party at Ole Red Las Vegas featuring Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry.
- Friday, 15 May: Lifting Lives Country on the Green at Topgolf Las Vegas with Riley Green, Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins.
- Saturday, 16 May: Next Wave Country’s Beach Bash at Mandalay Bay Beach headlined by Keith Urban, with performances by Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, and Tucker Wetmore.
