The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards return to Las Vegas in 2026 with a live Prime Video broadcast, a full week of ACM events, and a major homecoming to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The Academy of Country Music is bringing one of the industry’s biggest nights back to Las Vegas as the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards officially heads to the iconic MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2026. Streaming live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, the show continues its groundbreaking legacy as the first major awards ceremony to fully embrace livestreaming.
The move marks a celebratory return to Las Vegas after three years in Texas, a shift that feels especially sentimental for the ACM. “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. That excitement is shared across the production, as Dick Clark Productions CEO Jay Penske added that teaming up with MGM Resorts strengthens their mission to deliver world-class entertainment for fans around the globe.
The announcement follows the star-studded 60th anniversary broadcast in 2025, hosted by Reba McEntire and featuring over 40 artists, 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, and Wynonna Judd. The milestone show reached viewers in more than 240 countries and territories, underscoring the ACM Awards’ influence as an international music event.
This year’s ceremony returns to its Sunday night timeslot and aims to build on that momentum with the artists, collaborations, and defining moments that continue shaping Country Music today. Additional details will roll out in early 2026, including performer reveals and expanded event schedules.
ACM Awards Week is also making its comeback, officially kicking off in Las Vegas on May 15. Fans can look forward to multiple days of celebrations, gatherings, and special programming, with tickets for the awards show and related events going on sale in early 2026. Viewers can stay updated by following the Academy on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, or by joining the ACM A-List for exclusive news and presale opportunities.
First established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show. Since partnering with Prime Video in 2022 for the 57th ACM Awards, the show has continued to break ground—hosting legends like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire, delivering viral star pairings such as Ed Sheeran with Luke Combs, and earning the honor of being the first Country Music awards show nominated for an Emmy.
The Academy itself has grown into a powerhouse organization since its founding in Southern California in 1964. Now headquartered in Nashville with a record membership of more than 5,000 worldwide, the ACM champions the Country Music community from fans to artists to executives. The organization also supports important philanthropic efforts through ACM Lifting Lives, its charitable partner dedicated to improving lives through music and providing aid in times of need, especially through health-focused initiatives.
As anticipation builds, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for the ACM Awards—one filled with celebration, iconic performances, and a return to the city that helped shape its legacy.
