Full Breakdown
61st Academy of Country Music Awards Set for May 17 in Las Vegas
5/14/2026, 10:35:53 PM
Show Overview
The 61st Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Shania Twain will host, and the broadcast will run about two hours and thirty minutes—a format retained from the 2025 ceremony. Presenters include Andrew Whitworth, Ashley McBryde, Carl Edwards, Corey LaJoie, Keith Urban, Lauren Alaina, Michael Bublé, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Shaboozey, The War and Treaty, and TJ Osborne. Performers slated to appear include Lainey Wilson (world-premiere of “Can’t Sit Still”), Riley Green (“Change My Mind”), Kacey Musgraves (new song from *Middle of Nowhere*), Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, and others.
Background & Context
The ceremony returns to Las Vegas for the first time since 2022 and to the MGM Grand Garden Arena since 2019, after three years at The Star in Frisco, Texas. ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, who assumed the role in January 2020, announced his resignation effective June 30, making the 2026 show his final production. The event is produced by Dick Clark Productions, owned by Penske Media Eldridge.
Key Figures & Groups
Host Shania Twain expressed excitement about returning to a city she describes as “home.” Leading nominees are Megan Moroney (nine nominations), Miranda Lambert (eight), Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson (seven each), followed by Chris Stapleton (six), Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson and Riley Green (four). The ACM also announced four award winners ahead of the ceremony: Songwriter of the Year (Jessie Jo Dillon), New Male Artist (Tucker Wetmore), New Female Artist (Avery Anna), and Visual Media of the Year (“Cuckoo,” Stephen Wilson Jr., producer/director Tim Cofield).
Timeline
Data & Statistics
The ceremony will feature 12 presenters and over 20 musical performances. The expanded runtime adds 30 minutes compared with traditional three-hour broadcasts, allowing “wall-to-wall music” with minimal commercial load. This year’s nominations highlight newer talent, with four female artists receiving seven or more nods. No duo or group category is presented due to insufficient qualified submissions.
Why It Matters
The return to Las Vegas underscores the ACM’s historic ties to the city’s “party atmosphere” and West Coast roots. Emphasizing emerging artists reflects the organization’s role in early-career recognition, potentially shaping future country-music trends. The philanthropic “Lifting Lives” event and “Next Wave” showcase reinforce the ACM’s commitment to industry development and charitable causes.
Official Statements & Responses
Shania Twain said she is thrilled to host in a city that feels like home and looks forward to celebrating the night’s talent. Damon Whiteside explained that the extended runtime provides space for additional performances and that Prime Video supported the format because fans responded positively. He also noted the excitement surrounding the return to Vegas and described his upcoming departure as “bittersweet,” emphasizing his focus on delivering a strong show.
Verbatim Quotes
- “a place that feels like home.” — Shania Twain, ACM Awards host
- “I pushed for it simply because we want to have room for more performances and more artists,” — Damon Whiteside, ACM CEO
- “You look across the board at all nominees, it’s definitely heavily leaning toward a lot of relatively newer acts in a lot of ways, which is awesome to see,” — Damon Whiteside, ACM CEO
- “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, honestly, but I would say it’s bittersweet for sure,” — Damon Whiteside, ACM CEO
What’s Next
The ACM will host the “Lifting Lives” fundraiser on May 15 and the “Next Wave” Beach Bash on May 16, leading into the May 17 ceremony. After the show, Damon Whiteside will step down, and a successor will assume leadership after June 30.
