2026 ACM Awards Live Updates: Winners and Surprises As They Happen

Wondering who took home trophies at the Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards? Well, we have the entire list below! And trust us when we say there are some surprises that no music lover could have seen coming.

Entertainer of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• Luke Combs
• Cody Johnson
• Megan Moroney
• Jelly Roll
• Chris Stapleton
• Morgan Wallen
• Lainey Wilson

Album of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• “Ain’t In It For My Health” by Zach Top
• “Cherry Valley” by Carter Faith
• “Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe)” by Riley Green
• “I’m The Problem” by Morgan Wallen
• “Parker McCollum” by Parker McCollum

Song of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• “A Song to Sing” byMiranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
• “Am I Okay?” by Megan Moroney
• “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
• “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
• “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson

Single of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• “6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
• “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
• “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
• “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
• “The Fall” by Cody Johnson

Female Artist of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Miranda Lambert
• Ella Langley
• Megan Moroney
• Lainey Wilson

New Female Artist of the Year

WINNER: Avery Anna

NOMINEES:

• Mackenzie Carpenter
• Dasha
• Caroline Jones
• Emily Ann Roberts

Male Artist of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Cody Johnson
• Chris Stapleton
• Zach Top

New Male Artist of the Year

WINNER: Tucker Wetmore

NOMINEES:

• Gavin Adcock
• Vincent Mason
• Shaboozey
• Hudson Westbrook

Songwriter of the Year

WINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon

NOMINEES:

• Ashley Gorley
• Charlie Handsome
• Chase McGill
• Blake Pendergrass

Artist-Songwriter of the Year

WINNER: Ella Langley

NOMINEES:

• Luke Combs
• Riley Green
• Megan Moroney
• Morgan Wallen

Duo of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Muscadine Bloodline
• Thelma & James

Group of the Year

WINNER:

NOMINEES:

• 49 Winchester
• Flatland Cavalry
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
• The Red Clay Strays

Visual Media of the Year

This award is given to to producer(s), director(s) and artist(s)

WINNER: “Cuckoo” by Stephen Wilson, Jr.,

NOMINEES:

• “A Song to Sing” by Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
• “6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
• “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
• “The Fall” by Cody Johnson

How to watch the ACMs

The 2026 ACM will air live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on, Sunday, May 17. It’s available to stream on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET, with simulcasts on Amazon Music’s Twitch channel and the Amazon Music app.

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Copyright 2026 A360 Media

This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 2:04 PM.