The Academy of Country Music Awards is returning to Las Vegas this spring, and organizers have confirmed the first wave of performers for its 61st edition. Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green are among the headline artists scheduled to take the stage, with additional performers expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The ceremony will take place on May 17, 2026, broadcasting live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event will stream globally via Prime Video, reaching audiences in more than 240 countries and territories. Viewers will also be able to watch through the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and within the Amazon Music app.
Returning to its Sunday night slot, the ACM Awards continues to position itself as a high-profile showcase of country music’s biggest stars and rising talent. This year’s show is expected to feature large-scale performances, collaborations, and exclusive live debuts.
Johnson will appear on the ACM stage following his 2025 win for Song of the Year, while Wilson, who currently holds the Entertainer of the Year title and has accumulated 16 ACM wins, will debut her new track “Can’t Sit Still” during the broadcast. Green, a four-time ACM Award winner, is set to perform his hit single “Change My Mind,” adding further star power to the lineup.
The 61st ceremony is part of a broader week of events celebrating country music in Las Vegas. Among the highlights are “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends,” scheduled for May 15 at Topgolf Las Vegas, and “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash,” taking place May 16 at Mandalay Bay Beach. These events expand the awards into a multi-day fan experience centered around live performances and artist engagement.
Tickets
Tickets for both the main ceremony and related events are now available through AXS, offering fans access to a weekend built around country music’s leading voices.
About Academy of Country Music Awards
First established in 1966, the ACM Awards are the longest-running country music awards show. The ceremony entered a new phase in 2022 when it became the first major awards program to shift exclusively to livestream distribution through Prime Video, a model that continues with the 2026 event.
Production duties for the show are handled by Dick Clark Productions, with Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton serving as executive producers. Kapoor will also take on the role of showrunner.
Damon Whiteside represents the Academy of Country Music as executive producer, while Jay Penske and Barry Adelman oversee production on behalf of Dick Clark Productions. John Saade continues as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional announcements, including nominees, presenters, and the host, are expected in the lead-up to the event. Media credential applications for on-site coverage in Las Vegas are currently open.
As the ACM Awards continue to evolve into a global streaming event, the 61st edition is positioned to expand its reach further while maintaining its role as a key platform for celebrating both established and emerging talent within country music.
Also Read: Prime Video Sets May Premiere for Off Campus, Drops First Teaser
