NEW YORK (AP) — Megan Moroney leads the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards with 9 nominations.
That features a first-time nomination for the highest prize of the night time, entertainer of the yr, in addition to director and artist-songwriter of the yr. She’s additionally obtained her third consecutive nominations for feminine artist and visible media of the yr.
Women seem to dominate the nods: Moroney is adopted by Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards historical past, with eight, in addition to Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven.
Then it’s Chris Stapleton with six, Zach Top with 5 and Cody Johnson with 4.
The nominations for the 61st annual ACM Awards had been introduced Thursday. The awards ceremony will happen May 17 on the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, leaving the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, simply north of Dallas, after three consecutive years.
Performers will embrace Lambert, Wilson, Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Riley Green and extra.
In addition to Moroney, these competing for entertainer of the yr can be Wilson, Johnson, Stapleton, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen.
In 2025, Wilson took home the top prize — for a second yr in a row.
In the album of the yr class, Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” faces off in opposition to Top’s “Ain’t In It For My Health,” Riley Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Parker McCollum’s “Parker McCollum” and first-time nominee Carter Faith’s “Cherry Valley.”
Other first-time nominees embrace 49 Winchester, Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Hudson Westbrook, Stephen Wilson Jr. and extra.
And within the single of the yr class, Lambert and Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” will go head-to-head with Moroney’s “Am I Okay?,” Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Top’s “I Never Lie” and Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
The 2026 ACM Awards will stream on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch in addition to the Amazon Music app on May 17 at 8 p.m. EDT.
