Women Dominate 2026 ACM Awards Nominations: Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley Lead
Megan Moroney is the frontrunner for the 2026 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, boasting nine nominations. Her accolades include a first-time nod for the coveted entertainer of the year, along with nominations for director and artist-songwriter of the year. This year marks her third consecutive year as a nominee for female artist and visual media of the year.
Women Lead the Nominations
The 2026 ACM Awards highlight a strong female presence. Following Moroney are Miranda Lambert with eight nominations and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson, both with seven nods. In contrast, Chris Stapleton secured six nominations, Zach Top five, and Cody Johnson four.
Nominations Overview
- Megan Moroney: 9 Nominations
- Miranda Lambert: 8 Nominations
- Ella Langley: 7 Nominations
- Lainey Wilson: 7 Nominations
- Chris Stapleton: 6 Nominations
- Zach Top: 5 Nominations
- Cody Johnson: 4 Nominations
The nominations for the awards were revealed on Thursday. The 61st annual ceremony will occur on May 17, 2026, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This year, the event relocates after three years at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.
Prominent Performers
This year’s performances will include Lambert, Wilson, Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Riley Green, among others. Competing for the entertainer of the year title alongside Moroney are Wilson, Johnson, Stapleton, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen.
Album of the Year Contenders
In the album of the year category, Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” will compete against:
- Zach Top’s “Ain’t In It For My Health”
- Riley Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do”
- Parker McCollum’s “Parker McCollum”
- Carter Faith’s “Cherry Valley” (first-time nominee)
Notable First-Time Nominees
Along with Carter Faith, other first-time nominees include:
- 49 Winchester
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Hudson Westbrook
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year Competition
In the single of the year category, Lambert and Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” will contend with:
- Megan Moroney’s “Am I Okay?”
- Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas”
- Zach Top’s “I Never Lie”
- Lainey Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo”
Fans can catch the live stream of the 2026 ACM Awards on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, starting at 8 p.m. EDT on May 17.
