How To Watch the 2026 ACM Awards for Free on May 17—Plus Performers, Nominees and Start Time
nation music‘s largest night time is heading again to Las Vegas! The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will stream reside from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. After three consecutive years in Frisco, Texas, the return to Vegas marks a homecoming for the longest-running country music awards present—and we’re HERE for it.
Last 12 months’s sixtieth anniversary ceremony was legendary—actually! nation legend Reba McEntirehosted and over 40 artists carried out—together withChris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Jelly Roll. We’ll be updating this web page typically as each element is introduced. On March 19, they launched the first wave of performers.
Read on for your full information to the 2026 ACM Awards—together with tips on how to watch, ceremony date and extra!
When are the 2026 ACM Awards?
The 61st ACM Awards stream reside on SundayMay 17, 2026 at 8 pm ET / 7 pm CT / 5 pm PT.
Where are the 2026 ACM Awards being held?
After three years in Texas, this 12 months’s ceremony shall be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to return to MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a place that holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like a homecoming for us,” he stated Damon WhitesideCEO, Academy of Country Music. “There’s no better place to host an exciting, global country music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!”
Who is acting at the 2026 ACM Awards?
On March 19, the Academy of Country Music introduced the first spherical of performers for this 12 months’s present. They are:
Lainey Wilson
16-time ACM Award recipient Lainey Wilson will deal with viewers to her world premiere efficiency of “Can’t Sit Still.”
Cody Johnson
The “Dirt Cheap” singer will take the stage after profitable his very first ACM for Song of the Year in 2025.
Riley Green
Riley Green will ship a efficiency of his hit track “Change My Mind” from his album Don’t Mind If I Do. Last 12 months, he took residence three ACMs—Single of the Year, Music Event of the Year and Visual Media of the Year—for his collab with Ella Langley titled “you look like you love me.”
Who is internet hosting the 2026 ACM Awards?
This 12 months’s host has not but been introduced, however you may count on a rustic legend. Previous hosts embody Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Blake Sheltonand LeAnn Rimes. We’ll replace this part as quickly as the host is revealed.
Related: Quote of the Day: Dolly Parton on Staying True to Yourself
Who are the 2026 ACM Awards nominees?
The full record of nominees is just not out but, however you may count on an announcement in April 2026. Note that the eligibility interval covers music launched between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025. At final 12 months’s ceremony, Ella Langley led all winners with 5 trophies and Lainey Wilson took residence Entertainer of the Year for the second 12 months in a row! We’ll replace this part with the full record of nominees as quickly as they’re revealed.
How to look at the 2026 ACM Awards
The ACM Awards maintain the honor of being the first-ever main awards present to livestream completely. The 2026 award celebration continues this format and will stream reside on each Prime Video and Twitch’s Amazon Music channel.
The finest information? Unlike different award exhibits, you will not want a paid streaming subscription to look at. You simply want a primary Amazon account, which is free! That’s proper: The 2026 ACM Awards shall be free to stream reside completely for a worldwide viewers throughout greater than 240 international locations and territories.
How to get tickets to the 2026 ACM Awards
Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards can be found now at AXS.com.
2026 ACM Awards winners
Winners shall be introduced reside throughout the ceremony on May 17. Check again for the full record of 2026 ACM Awards winners.
Related: Country Star Cancels Shows, Announces Touring Break to Seek ‘Professional’ Help
This story was initially printed by Parade on Mar 19, 2026, the place it first appeared in the TV part. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
