Country Music Awards

Date shown for 2026 is estimated as the official date has not been finalized as of March 2026.

Country Music Awards (ACM) History

The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM celebrates and honors the accomplishments of country musicians, songwriters, and industry members. The objective of the event is to recognize outstanding talent and achievements in the country music industry, while providing a platform for both established and emerging artists to showcase their skills to a national audience.

The ACM was formed in 1964 in California, making it the oldest organization in country music dedicated to enhancing and promoting the image and prestige of country music artists. The awards were initially created to honor artists based on the West Coast, but quickly expanded to recognize talent nationwide as country music evolved. Today, the awards are sought after by country musicians around the globe, making it an international affair.

The ACM Awards are usually a star-studded spectacle, featuring live performances, unique collaborations, and memorable acceptance speeches. Categories include Entertainer of the Year, Male and Female Artist of the Year, and Album of the Year, among others. Special awards like the ACM Lifting Lives Gary Haber Award are also given to artists who've made significant humanitarian efforts. The ACM Awards typically take place in either March or April, with the exact date varying from year to year.

Top 7 Facts for Country Music Awards (ACM) in 2026

• The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will mark a significant homecoming as the ceremony returns to its longtime home at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after a three-year stint in Frisco, Texas.
• Continuing its trailblazing digital legacy, the event will bypass traditional broadcast television to stream exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch for a fifth consecutive year.
• For the first time since 2021, the main awards celebration has been scheduled for a Sunday night, diverging from the Thursday time slot utilized for the most recent iterations of the show.
• The festivities will expand into a multi-day experience beginning with ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends, an intimate philanthropic concert staged directly on the outfield of Topgolf Las Vegas.
• Fans can also attend a reimagined poolside concert titled ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash at the Mandalay Bay Beach, which is designed to showcase the genre's most prominent rising stars.
• While the host remains under wraps, the upcoming gala follows a historic 60th anniversary show where Lainey Wilson became only the third woman to ever win back-to-back titles for Entertainer of the Year.
• The eligibility window for this year’s honors encompasses all creative works and performances released between January 1 and December 31, 2025, with official nominations expected to be revealed in April.

In the News and Trending for Country Music Awards

Top things to do for Country Music Awards

• Watch the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards if you missed them. You can watch the livestream on CBS or on Paramount+.
• Browse the list of ACM nominees and winners.
• Check out some highlights from the 58th ACM awards.

References