Ella Langley emerged as the breakout star at the Academy of Country Music Awards, despite Cody Johnson ultimately claiming the night's top honour, Entertainer of the Year. Langley’s remarkable evening began early, securing the coveted Song of the Year for her crossover hit "Choosin’ Texas," presented by none other than Michael Bublé.
An emotional Langley expressed her gratitude, stating: "I’m not at a loss for words very often. Thank you to the fans. I don’t know why you latched on to this song but thank you for doing it." Her success continued less than an hour later as she returned to the stage to accept Single of the Year for the same smash hit.
She then joined Riley Green to collect Music Event of the Year for their duet "Don’t Mind if I Do," before capping off her impressive run with a fourth on-stage trophy for Female Artist of the Year. With her voice cracking, she said: "I’m trying to get to say something but I can’t. I would not be standing up here without the encouragement of so many women."
While Langley dominated the early awards, Cody Johnson took home the night’s most prestigious prize. Earlier, he had been named Male Artist of the Year. In his acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year, Johnson reflected on his craft: "They say that music is the sound of emotion. I get to convey that through this thing that God gave me called music." He dedicated his top award to Luke Combs.
The 61st annual awards ceremony, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas – a notable change from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, where it had been hosted for the past three years – promised and delivered a star-studded line-up. Lainey Wilson, a two-time former Entertainer of the Year, kicked off the show with her latest single, the anthemic "Can't Sit Still."
Host Shania Twain made a grand entrance to her 1997 hit "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" congratulating Lainey Wilson on her recent wedding. Twain, hosting for the first time after taking over from Reba McEntire, reflected on her own career, noting her first ACM Award 30 years ago and her first top 10 hit at age 30. "What a time this is for country music!" she exclaimed, adding: "Make it loud for all our sheroes," in a clear nod to the women of country music.
The evening featured a rapid succession of performances, including Miranda Lambert with "Crisco," Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis performing "Ain't A Bad Life," and Avery Anna’s country-rock reimagining of Nancy Sinatra’s "Bang Bang." Riley Green delivered "Change My Mind," Zach Top performed "Honky Tonk Till It Hurts," Little Big Town sang "Hey There Sunshine," and The Red Clay Strays offered "Demons in Your Choir."
Pre-show accolades saw Langley also named Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Jessie Jo Dillon made history as the first artist to win Songwriter of the Year three times consecutively, while Stephen Wilson Jr. received Visual Media of the Year for "Cuckoo." Avery Anna and Tucker Wetmore were recognised as New Female and New Male Artist of the Year, respectively.
Back on stage, Wetmore performed "Brunette," Parker McCollum and Lee Ann Womack duetted on "Killin’ Me," and Kacey Musgraves brought her signature wit with "Dry Spell," performing atop a washing machine. Carter Faith’s "If I Had Never Lost My Mind" was a vocal highlight, followed by Johnson’s "Travelin’ Soldier" and Kane Brown’s "Woman."
Group of the Year went to The Red Clay Strays, and Duo of the Year was awarded to Brooks & Dunn, with Kix Brooks joking: "I don’t know why y’all aren’t getting sick of us, But we love y’all."
In a highly competitive category, Parker McCollum’s self-titled album secured Album of the Year, triumphing over releases from Morgan Wallen, Zach Top, Riley Green, and first-time nominee Carter Faith.
The night concluded with two poignant performances: Dan + Shay’s "Say So," dedicated to the late Warner Chappell president and CEO Ben Vaughn, and Blake Shelton’s powerful rendition of "The Gambler."
Shelton’s performance paid tribute to the recently deceased Don Schlitz, the storied country music songwriter behind the Kenny Rogers classic, a 1978 track that achieved both massive genre success and pop crossover appeal.
Full list of winners below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson (WINNER)
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley (WINNER)
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson (WINNER)
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays (WINNER)
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn (WINNER)
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna (WINNER)
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore (WINNER)
Album of the Year
Ain’t in It for My Health, Zach Top
Cherry Valley, Carter Faith
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), Riley Green
I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen
Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum (WINNER)
Song of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Am I Okay?” Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (WINNER)
“I Never Lie,” Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (WINNER)
“I Never Lie,” Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen,” Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do,” Riley Green feat. Ella Langley (WINNER)
“Trailblazer,” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had to Be There,” Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo,” Stephen Wilson Jr. (WINNER)
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon (WINNER)
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley (WINNER)
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
The 2026 ACM Awards were streamed on Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and the Amazon Music app.
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