NEW YORK (AP) — Megan Moroney has received the most nominations for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, securing nine nods.
Her nominations include a debut nod for the prestigious Entertainer of the Year award, along with Director and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Furthermore, she earned her third consecutive nominations in both the Female Artist and Visual Media of the Year categories.
Women prominently feature among the nominees: Following Moroney, Miranda Lambert, the ACM Awards’ most-awarded artist, garnered eight nominations, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each secured seven.
Chris Stapleton earned six nominations, Zach Top five, and Cody Johnson four.
The nominees for the 61st annual ACM Awards were revealed on Thursday. The event is scheduled for May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, marking a change of venue from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, where it was held for the past three years.
The lineup of performers will feature Lambert, Wilson, Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Riley Green, among others.
Aside from Moroney, the contenders for Entertainer of the Year are Wilson, Johnson, Stapleton, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen.
In 2025, Wilson claimed the top award — for the second consecutive year.
For Album of the Year, Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” competes with Top’s “Ain’t In It For My Health,” Riley Green’s “Don’t Mind If I Do,” Parker McCollum’s “Parker McCollum,” and “Cherry Valley” by first-time nominee Carter Faith.
Additional new nominees encompass 49 Winchester, Avery Anna, Mackenzie Carpenter, Hudson Westbrook, Stephen Wilson Jr., and others.
Regarding the Single of the Year award, Lambert and Stapleton’s “A Song to Sing” will vie against Moroney’s “Am I Okay?,” Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas,” Top’s “I Never Lie,” and Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo.”
Viewers can stream the 2026 ACM Awards via Prime Video, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, and the Amazon Music app on May 17, starting at 8 p.m. EDT.