ACM Awards 2026: The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) returned to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after a three‑year run at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Country superstar Shania Twain stepped in as host, taking over from Reba McEntire, who helmed the show the past two years.
The celebrations kicked off before Sunday’s main event, with several trophies handed out early. Ella Langley was named artist‑songwriter of the year, while Jessie Jo Dillon claimed songwriter of the year, her third consecutive win. Stephen Wilson Jr. earned visual media of the year for “Cuckoo.” Rising talents Anna Wetmore and Tucker Wetmore were honored as new female and new male artist of the year, respectively.
On Sunday night (May 17, 2026), Langley dominated the spotlight, sweeping all seven categories in which she was nominated, including female artist of the year. Cody Johnson captured the night’s top honor, entertainer of the year, after earlier winning male artist of the year.
ACM Awards 2026: Night’s biggest winners revealed, check full list
Entertainer of the Year
Cody Johnson
Female Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Male Artist of the Year
Cody Johnson
Group of the Year
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Album of the Year: Awarded to artist(s) / producer(s) / record Company–label(s)
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA
Song of the Year: Awarded to songwriter(s)/publisher(s)/artist(s)
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor; Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
Single of the Year: Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West; Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
Visual Media of the Year: Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.; Producer: Tim Cofield; Director: Tim Cofield
Music Event of the Year: Awarded to Artist(s) / Producer(s )/ Record Company Label(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley; Producer: Dann Huff; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Ella Langley
New Male Artist of the Year
Tucker Wetmore
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
The celebrations kicked off before Sunday’s main event, with several trophies handed out early. Ella Langley was named artist‑songwriter of the year, while Jessie Jo Dillon claimed songwriter of the year, her third consecutive win. Stephen Wilson Jr. earned visual media of the year for “Cuckoo.” Rising talents Anna Wetmore and Tucker Wetmore were honored as new female and new male artist of the year, respectively.
On Sunday night (May 17, 2026), Langley dominated the spotlight, sweeping all seven categories in which she was nominated, including female artist of the year. Cody Johnson captured the night’s top honor, entertainer of the year, after earlier winning male artist of the year.
ACM Awards 2026: Night’s biggest winners revealed, check full list
Entertainer of the Year
Cody Johnson
Female Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Male Artist of the Year
Cody Johnson
Group of the Year
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Album of the Year: Awarded to artist(s) / producer(s) / record Company–label(s)
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA
Song of the Year: Awarded to songwriter(s)/publisher(s)/artist(s)
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor; Publishers: Bada Bing & Bada Langley Publishing; Little Louder Songs; Sony Music Publishing
Single of the Year: Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West; Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
Visual Media of the Year: Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.; Producer: Tim Cofield; Director: Tim Cofield
Music Event of the Year: Awarded to Artist(s) / Producer(s )/ Record Company Label(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley; Producer: Dann Huff; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Ella Langley
New Male Artist of the Year
Tucker Wetmore
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
