Prime Video has confirmed new details for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, including a first-time hosting role for Shania Twain. The globally recognized performer will lead the ceremony when it returns to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026, marking another major live event for the streaming platform.
The awards show will stream live in more than 240 countries and territories exclusively on Prime Video, with additional access provided through the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and within the Amazon Music app. This year’s ceremony will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, a venue closely associated with large-scale entertainment productions and previous editions of the show.
Twain’s appointment as host adds considerable profile to the event. Widely regarded as the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, she has built a career defined by commercial success and cross-genre influence.
With more than 100 million albums sold worldwide and six studio albums released, her impact on country music extends well beyond traditional boundaries. She is also a three-time ACM Award winner and a five-time GRAMMY Award recipient, placing her among the most decorated artists in the genre.
“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”
The Academy of Country Music has positioned Twain as a natural fit for the role, citing her longstanding relationship with the awards and her influence within the industry.
CEO Damon Whiteside noted that her legacy aligns with previous hosts such as Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire, while also highlighting her achievements on the ACM stage, including winning Entertainer of the Year and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award for songwriting.
The ceremony will once again occupy its Sunday night broadcast slot and is expected to feature a wide range of performances and collaborations. Confirmed performers include Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green. Additional performers and presenters are expected to be announced as the event approaches.
Beyond the main ceremony, the Academy is organizing a series of related events throughout the week in Las Vegas. These include the “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas, followed by “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas. The lead-up will conclude with “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, featuring a mix of established acts and emerging artists.
Tickets for both the awards ceremony and the surrounding events are available through AXS, giving fans the option to attend multiple performances across the weekend. Amazon Music has launched an official ACM Awards playlist featuring nominees and prominent country artists, allowing listeners to engage with the music ahead of the broadcast.
First established in 1966, the ACM Awards remain the longest-running country music awards program. The show entered a new phase in 2022 when it became the first major awards ceremony to shift entirely to a livestream format through Prime Video. That partnership continues to shape the event’s global reach, enabling simultaneous access for audiences worldwide.
The 61st ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, with Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton serving as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Damon Whiteside for the Academy of Country Music and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman for Dick Clark Productions, while John Saade continues as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
With a high-profile host, a broad performance lineup, and expanded global accessibility, this year’s ceremony reflects the Academy’s continued effort to position the ACM Awards as a major international event within the country music calendar.
