Quick Answer
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards took place on May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, hosted by Shania Twain and streamed globally on Prime Video.
Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year. Ella Langley dominated the night, going seven for seven on her nominations to set the ACM record for most wins by a single artist in one year, including Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year for "Choosin' Texas," and Artist Songwriter of the Year.
Behind Langley, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert and Stephen Wilson Jr. each picked up two wins.
Where and When the 2026 ACM Awards Happened
The show aired live on May 17, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the ACM's home venue for several years now. Prime Video streamed the main telecast and the red carpet preshow globally, with no cable broadcast for the second consecutive year.
The Academy of Country Music also held the ACM Honors and pre telecast winner announcements earlier in the week, with industry categories handed out before the main show.
Shania Twain Takes Over Hosting Duties
Shania Twain hosted for the first time, taking the baton from Reba McEntire, who had hosted the previous three years. Twain leaned into spectacle from the opening number, with multiple wardrobe changes, a medley of her 1990s hits reworked as duets with current artists, and several comedy bits across the night.
Critics broadly praised her as a natural host: warm, self deprecating, and confident enough to keep the show moving past awkward moments.
Ella Langley's Historic Sweep
Ella Langley arrived with seven nominations and left with seven trophies, setting an ACM record for the most wins by a single artist in a single year. Her pop crossover hit "Choosin' Texas" was named both Song of the Year and Single of the Year, and Langley also took Female Artist of the Year and Artist Songwriter of the Year. Two of her wins came in the pre telecast industry ceremony earlier in the week.
Major Winners at the 2026 ACM Awards
- Entertainer of the Year: Cody Johnson
- Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley
- Male Artist of the Year: Cody Johnson
- Song of the Year: Ella Langley, "Choosin' Texas"
- Single of the Year: Ella Langley, "Choosin' Texas"
- Artist Songwriter of the Year: Ella Langley
- Duo of the Year: Brothers Osborne
- Group of the Year: Old Dominion
For the full list of category winners, including Album of the Year, New Artist categories and Music Event of the Year, see the Academy of Country Music's official winners page.
What the 2026 ACM Awards Tell Us About Country Music Right Now
Two trends stood out. First, Ella Langley's record breaking sweep confirms that the new wave of female led country, built on streaming numbers as much as radio play, is now squarely at the center of the genre's awards conversation. Second, Cody Johnson's Entertainer of the Year win, paired with his Male Artist trophy, shows the voting body still rewards arena scale touring craft alongside the streaming era stars.
How to Watch the 2026 ACM Awards Replay
The full show and red carpet preshow are available on demand on Prime Video for subscribers in supported regions. Individual performances are typically uploaded to the official ACM YouTube channel in the days after the show.
The Takeaway
The 2026 ACM Awards belonged to Ella Langley, whose seven for seven night rewrote the ACM record book, while Cody Johnson walked off with the genre's biggest single prize as Entertainer of the Year. Shania Twain's hosting debut set a high bar for future shows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 2026 ACM Awards?
Shania Twain hosted for the first time, taking over from Reba McEntire.
Where can I watch the 2026 ACM Awards?
Prime Video streamed the live show globally and hosts the on demand replay.
Who won Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards?
Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year.
Who won the most awards at the 2026 ACM Awards?
Ella Langley, with seven wins from seven nominations, an ACM record for a single year.
