The Academy of Country Music announced that the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will return to Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, 2026. After three successful years in Texas, the show will once again take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, streaming live on Prime Video and on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. This continues the ACM Awards’ trailblazing path as the first major awards ceremony to livestream exclusively.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to return to MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a place that holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like a homecoming for us,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. “There’s no better place to host an exciting, global Country Music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!”
“2026 is going to be a very special year for the ACMs, and partnering with MGM Resorts strengthens our deep commitment to delivering world-class entertainment and experiences for Country Music fans and partners alike,” added Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions.
Building on a Historic Anniversary Year
The return to Las Vegas follows the 60th anniversary celebration in 2025. That milestone event, hosted by Reba McEntire, showcased more than 40 performers and presenters including Alan Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Wynonna Judd, and others.
The broadcast reached viewers in more than 240 countries and territories, reinforcing the ACM Awards as a global showcase for country music talent.
What to Expect for the 61st ACM Awards
The 61st ACM Awards will once again air in the Sunday night timeslot as it highlights the artists, collaborations, and standout moments shaping country music today.
ACM Awards Week will begin in Las Vegas on Friday, May 15, with additional events to be announced in early 2026. Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and surrounding ACM Awards Week festivities will go on sale early next year. Fans can stay informed by following the Academy of Country Music on social media or by joining the free ACM A-List for updates and exclusive pre-sale opportunities.
About the Academy of Country Music
Founded in Southern California in 1964, the Academy of Country Music has grown from a regional organization into a leading association representing the global country music community. Now headquartered in Nashville, the ACM boasts more than 5,000 members worldwide and serves as a strong advocate for artists, fans, and all areas of the industry.
The Academy is also committed to philanthropic outreach through ACM Lifting Lives, which focuses on improving lives through the power of music and assisting those in need, particularly in health-related initiatives.
In addition to hosting the longest-running country music awards show, the ACM continues to drive programming that pushes the industry forward. Recent shows have featured hosts like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire and have included standout collaborations such as Ed Sheeran with Luke Combs, Dua Lipa with Chris Stapleton, and Rascal Flatts with Backstreet Boys. The ACM Awards also made history in 2022 as the first major awards show to stream exclusively, and later became the first country music awards show ever nominated for an Emmy Award.
The organization continues to prioritize inclusion across the industry through initiatives like ACM Level Up, a two-year development program for emerging leaders.
For more information, visit ACMcountry.com or ACMLiftingLives.org.
