The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are approaching, and this year's event promises significant changes. Scheduled for May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the ACM Awards will move from their previous location at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, after a three-year stint. In an exciting twist, Shania Twain will host the awards for the first time, taking over the role from Reba McEntire.

This year marks a notable presence of women in the nominations, with Megan Moroney leading the pack with an impressive nine nominations. Following her are Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM history, with eight nominations, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each. Chris Stapleton has six nominations, while Zach Top and Cody Johnson follow with five and four, respectively.

Among the competitors for the coveted entertainer of the year award, Moroney will face off against Wilson, Stapleton, Johnson, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen. Last year, Wilson claimed the top prize for the second consecutive time.

In the album of the year category, Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” competes against Top’s “Ain’t In It For My Health,” Riley Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Parker McCollum’s self-titled album, and first-time nominee Carter Faith’s “Cherry Valley.” This year also sees several first-time nominees including 49 Winchester, Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Hudson Westbrook, and Stephen Wilson Jr.

Many notable factors characterize this year's ACM Awards. Along with Twain’s hosting debut and the relocation to Las Vegas, the dominance of female nominees suggests a positive shift in the country music landscape. Ashley McBryde, a fellow country artist, expressed her views on the increased representation of women, stating, “I think it is so cool.” Yet, she also acknowledged the ongoing challenge of competition among female artists and emphasized the importance of collaboration in the industry.

This year, no single song has overshadowed the nominations, promoting a more diverse competition. In the single of the year category, Lambert and Stapleton’s duet “A Song to Sing” competes against Moroney’s “Am I Okay?”, Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Top’s “I Never Lie,” and Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo.” This variety indicates a more balanced recognition of talent across different artists.

Performances at the 2026 ACM Awards will feature a star-studded lineup including Lambert, Langley, Top, Faith, Wilson, Johnson, Green, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Dan + Shay, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Avery Anna, and Tucker Wetmore. The event promises to be a celebration of the country music genre, highlighting emerging talent as well as established stars.

For viewers eager to watch the ACM Awards, the ceremony will stream live on Prime Video and Amazon Music’s channel on Twitch, as well as through the Amazon Music app at 8 p.m. EDT on May 17.

With these changes and a strong emphasis on female representation, the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards are set to be a memorable event in the country music calendar.