Ella Langley has made waves in both the country and broader music scenes this year with her hit “Choosin’ Texas.” Meanwhile, the Academy of Country Music Awards is shifting its focus from Texas to Las Vegas for this year’s ceremony. Although the ACM Awards took place in Texas for the past three years, the decision to return to Las Vegas is seen as a nod to the show’s origins and its longstanding connection to the glitz of the Las Vegas Strip.
The 2026 ACM Awards will be streamed exclusively on Prime Video, Amazon Music, and Amazon’s Twitch channel from 8-10:30 ET and 5-7:30 PT, with live access worldwide.
The ACM’s roots on the west coast trace back six decades to its founding in L.A., with a history of broadcasting predominantly from Las Vegas since the early 2000s. Beyond tradition, logistical advantages favor Las Vegas, where many artists feel at home due to their residencies. This year, global superstar Shania Twain will host the ACMs for the first time, marking a fitting choice given her deep ties to the city and her embodiment of the country-casino blend.
Executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor, who has experience with both the Grammys and Oscars, brings a wealth of expertise to this event.
“I had the opportunity to work on Shania’s first Vegas residency when she returned here,” Kapoor notes. “Her connection to multiple residencies in the city runs deep. She rehearses her tours in Las Vegas, attends shows, concerts, and hockey games, and has become part of the city’s fabric. As the best-selling female artist in country music, we felt she was an ideal host. She hasn’t hosted the ACMs before, though she did host the People’s Choice Awards. We love collaborating with icons like Reba, Dolly, and Garth, and Shania was at the top of our list. Her new single released on Friday made the timing perfect for us.”
In a serendipitous turn, rising star Ella Langley leads the U.S. charts with her songs “Choosin’ Texas” and “Be Her,” marking a historic first for country music on the Billboard Hot 100. Country music dominates the Billboard 200, with Langley’s “Dandelion,” Kacey Musgraves’ “Middle of Nowhere,” and two albums by Morgan Wallen in the top ten. While country music’s popularity is undeniable, Langley’s influence is drawing in pop fans.
“She’s skyrocketing,” says Patrick Menton, another executive producer of the ACMs. “Ella’s an incredible artist and songwriter, and she’s wonderful to work with. On Sunday night, she’s presenting a fresh take on one of her songs that hasn’t been heard before.” While they haven’t revealed which song, a unique arrangement of “Choosin’ Texas” is hinted at, though “Be Her” could also be a contender. “She’s poured her heart into it. We love working with Ella. She was our ACM New Female Artist last year, and the public reaction, streams, and sales have been phenomenal. She’s one of the main nominees this year, which is incredible.”
Female country artists are making a strong showing in this year’s nominations, with Megan Moroney leading with nine, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each. Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Riley Green, and Cody Johnson follow closely behind.
Three of these four prominent women will perform at the show. Moroney will be absent, attending a friend’s wedding abroad. Wilson, last year’s entertainer of the year, will kick off the show with her latest single, “Can’t Sit Still.” Lambert, nominated for co-writing Langley’s hit and her own work, will debut “Crisco” live.
“Miranda Lambert’s new album has a disco-country flavor,” explains Damon Whiteside, the Academy’s outgoing CEO and executive producer. “We’ll have fun with these themes in a way people haven’t seen before.”
The evening will conclude with a performance by Blake Shelton. “We’re keeping it under wraps, but he’ll be singing a classic song that everyone will join in,” says Whiteside. Kapoor adds, “It’s one of the most beloved country songs ever written.”
Kacey Musgraves returns to the awards scene with her album “Middle of Nowhere,” marking a shift back to pure country. Although “Loneliest Girl” is her current radio single, she plans to perform “Dry Spell.”
Other performers include Zach Top, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, the Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Jordan Davis, Dan + Shay, Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Lee Ann Womack, Little Big Town, Parker McCollum, and Tucker Wetmore.
“We have 17 performances lined up. It’s non-stop,” Menton says. “Our stage management team is incredible.”
With 17 acts in just two and a half hours, the ACMs will be more concise than most music awards shows. The streaming-only format allows for fewer commercials and a more music-focused experience.
The ACMs pioneered streaming for major award shows, initially a bold move. Now, with Kapoor’s involvement in the Oscars on YouTube, the strategy is seen as insightful.
“We were a bit of a test case, starting in 2022,” Whiteside reflects. “It was a big shift after being on broadcast TV since the ’70s. Now in our fifth year on Prime Video, we’ve grown and adapted. Initially, we had no commercial breaks, which was a challenge. But from a fan’s viewpoint, it’s all about the music.”
Last year, the show extended from two to two-and-a-half hours, and this format will continue. Whiteside acknowledges that some viewers found two hours too short, a rare complaint for award shows. “This year will be two and a half hours, with most of it being pure content, making it feel tighter and shorter.”
How closely will Vegas be integrated into the show? “It’s not strictly themed,” Kapoor says, “but there will be moments that highlight the city, now that we’re back at the MGM Grand. Carter Faith performed ‘Let’s Go to Vegas’ for our promos, and we’ll have nods to Vegas throughout the night. The party and celebration are back.”
“We enjoyed being in Texas too,” Kapoor affirms. “Choosing between the two was tough. We had a great time in Frisco, with fantastic support from the community and the Dallas Cowboys. But turning 60 signaled a new chapter. Artists love being back in Vegas, with some even owning bars there. The dressing room interactions make it a fun party, and the celebrations continue long after the ACMs end.”
The ACMs remain focused on delivering a festive atmosphere, opting to announce many awards prior to airtime to focus on music during the broadcast. Whiteside attributes this informal approach to the Academy’s west coast origins.
“Founded in Southern California, the organization aimed to support West Coast country music. Having a presence on the West Coast allows us to engage with states like California and Arizona,” Whiteside explains. “Our Nashville headquarters maintain our connection to our roots in Southern California, which is important.”
“The DNA of our show and organization has always been about being a bit different. Established in the ’60s, it aimed to stand out. Vegas aligns perfectly with that spirit. Over the years, we’ve embraced crossover artists, making Vegas a fitting home for our organization.”
