Full Breakdown
Academy of Country Music Announces 2026 ACM Honors Lineup
6/26/2026, 1:47:31 PM
ACM Honors 2026: Awards Ceremony Set for August 19 in Nashville
The Academy of Country Music will hold its 19th ACM Honors on Aug. 19, 2026, at the Pinnacle in Nashville. Presale tickets opened Wednesday for ACM members and A-List members; a public sale follows Friday via AXS.
Program Background: Purpose of ACM Honors
The ACM Honors program, separate from the televised ACM Awards, spotlights lifetime achievement, humanitarian work, and initiatives that broaden country music’s influence. Awards range from Spirit and Poet’s to International, Film, Lift Every Voice, Icon, and Service recognitions.
Major Award Recipients and Their Honors
Kacey Musgraves receives the ACM Spirit Award for her “Middle of Nowhere” album; Eric Church is honored with the Lifting Lives Award for disaster-relief work after Hurricane Helene. Leslie Fram earns the Lift Every Voice Award for championing new talent and gender equity. The Carter Family and Brett James share the Poet’s Award for lasting songwriting impact. The C2C: Country to Country festival wins the International Award for expanding country music in Europe. Taylor Sheridan’s Paramount+ series “Landman” receives the Film Award. Bill Anderson and Mike Curb are presented the Icon Award for decades of artistic and business contributions. Scott Zolke receives the Service Award for securing a multi-year Amazon Prime Video livestream deal. Ella Langley and Jessie Jo Dillon are recognized as Artist-Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Carly Pearce co-hosts with first-time co-host Parker McCollum.
Timeline of Announcements and Ticket Sales
May 2026: The ACM announced Icon Award winners Bill Anderson and Mike Curb, plus Artist-Songwriter and Songwriter of the Year honorees Ella Langley and Jessie Jo Dillon during the main ACM Awards. August 2026: Presale tickets opened Wednesday; public sales began Friday. August 19, 2026: The ACM Honors ceremony takes place at the Pinnacle.
Awards Overview: Numbers and Categories
The 19th ACM Honors includes 14 honorees across eight award categories—Spirit, Poet’s, Lifting Lives, International, Film, Lift Every Voice, Icon, and Service—plus Artist-Songwriter and Songwriter of the Year recognitions.
Official Statements from the Academy
The Academy said attorney Scott Zolke led negotiations that secured a multi-year exclusive livestream agreement with Amazon Prime Video, a deal expected to broaden the ACM Awards’ global reach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “his immense support of others throughout his career and his notable contributions to large-scale disaster relief fundraising and rebuilding efforts following Hurricane Helene.” — Eric Church, Award Recipient
- “represented ACM in negotiations with Amazon Prime Video, securing a multi-year renewal agreement for the ACM Awards to exclusively livestream on the platform” — Academy Release
- “was key to the groundbreaking deal, which continues to elevate the ACM Awards’ presence and viewership globally.” — Academy Release
- “Middle of Nowhere” — Kacey Musgraves, Album Title
What’s Next: Livestream and Performer Announcements
The ACM Honors ceremony will be streamed exclusively on Amazon Prime Video under the new multi-year agreement. Performers and presenters will be announced in the weeks leading up to the August 19 event.
