ACM Awards 2026 Nominations Are Out: Moroney, Lambert, Wilson & Langley Lead the Charge
- All Country News
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
The ACM Awards just turned up the heat in a big way.
Nominees for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards are officially here, and if this list tells us anything, it’s that country music’s leading ladies are running the show in 2026.
Set to take over the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, this year’s ceremony is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory… and honestly, good luck predicting the winners.
The Women Are Winning, And It’s Not Even Close
Let’s start with the headline:Megan Moroney leads the pack with a massive NINE nominations.
Right behind her? Absolute icons and powerhouses:
Miranda Lambert – 8 nominations
Ella Langley – 7 nominations
Lainey Wilson – 7 nominations
This isn’t just a strong showing, it’s a full-on takeover. From songwriting to singles to major artist categories, these women are dominating nearly every corner of the ballot.
Moroney’s rise has been nothing short of electric, and with nominations across the board, including Entertainer of the Year, this could be her biggest night yet.
Heavy Hitters Holding Their Ground
Of course, the guys aren’t backing down.
Chris Stapleton (6 nominations) continues to prove he’s in a league of his own
Zach Top (5 nominations) is having a breakout moment in a big way
Cody Johnson (4 nominations) keeps his hit streak alive
And let’s not overlook Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs, both once again in the thick of the biggest categories, including the night’s top prize.
Entertainer of the Year Is STACKED
This category? Absolutely brutal (in the best way).
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
You’ve got chart-toppers, stadium-fillers, and genre-shapers all in one lineup. Whether the trophy goes to a seasoned superstar or a red-hot riser like Moroney or Wilson, it’s going to be a statement win.
First-Timers & Breakout Moments
One of the coolest parts of this year’s nominations? The fresh faces.
Artists scoring their first-ever ACM nominations include:
49 Winchester
Avery Anna
Carter Faith
Vincent Mason
Hudson Westbrook
Stephen Wilson Jr.
…and more
Plus, shoutout to:
Riley Green, landing his first nods for Male Artist, Album, and Artist-Songwriter
Parker McCollum, earning his first Album of the Year nomination
Reba McEntire, returning to the nominations list for the first time since 2020
That’s a mix of legacy, longevity, and next-gen talent all colliding in one year.
Songwriters Front and Center
Here’s a detail that deserves some serious applause:Every single Song of the Year nominee was co-written by the artist themselves.
From Megan Moroney’s “Am I Okay?” to Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo,” this year’s category is stacked with artists telling their own stories—and that authenticity hits different.
Performances & How to Watch
Already announced performers include:
Cody Johnson
Kacey Musgraves
Lainey Wilson
Little Big Town
Miranda Lambert
Riley Green
…and more names are still on the way.
Watch live on May 17 at 7 p.m. CST via:
Prime Video
Amazon Music on Twitch
Amazon Music app
Final Thoughts
If this nominee list is any indication, the 2026 ACM Awards are about to be a full-blown celebration of where country music is headed, not just where it’s been.
The women are leading. The newcomers are breaking through. And the heavyweights are still swinging.
Vegas better be ready, because this one’s going to be loud.
List Of Nominees
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
GROUP OF THE YEAR
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
DUO OF THE YEAR
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Avery Anna
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
NEW MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
Producer: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith
Producer: Tofer Brown
Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green
Producer: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen
Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett
Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
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)]
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs for the Munch Music; Songs of Influence; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney
Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
Publishers: Big Ass Pile of Dimes Music; Big Music Machine
“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
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
Publishers: Music and Magazine Publishing; Rio Bravo Music Inc; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing; Too Broke to Quit Music; Zach Top Music
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Publishers: Concord Sounds; Dtown Boogie Music; Emi Feist Catalog Inc; Songs Of Riser House; Songs Of Wild Cat Well Music; Sony/ATV Countryside; Story Farmer; Tacklebox Music Publishing
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
Producers: Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Ben West
Record Company-Label: SAWGOD / Columbia Records
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
Producers: Carson Chamberlain
Record Company-Label: Leo33
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Jay Joyce
Record Company-Label: BBR Music Group / BMG Nashville / Broken Bow Records
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Producers: Trent Willmon
Record Company-Label: CoJo Music / Warner Records Nashville
MUSIC EVENT OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Company–Label(s)]
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: Dave Cobb
Record Company-Label: Republic Records
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
Producers: Danny Majic, Nevin Sastry, Sean Cook
Record Company-Label: Empire
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox
Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
Producers: Tony Brown, Reba McEntire
Record Company-Label: MCA
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Producers: Kristian Bush
Record Company-Label: Sony Music Nashville / Columbia Records
VISUAL MEDIA OF THE YEAR
[Awarded to Producer(s)/Director(s)/Artist(s)]
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: CeCe Dawson, Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
Producers: James Stratakis
Director: Alexa King Stone, Stephen Kinigopoulos
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
Producers: Tim Cofield
Director: Tim Cofield
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
Producers: Katie Babbage
Director: TK McKamy
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Producers: Christen Pinkston & Wesley Stebbins-Perry
Director: Dustin Haney
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
ARTIST-SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
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