The winners of the 2026 ACM Awards have officially been revealed, celebrating some of the biggest names and fastest-rising stars in country music. This year's ceremony featured major victories for artists including Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Luke Combs, Tucker Wetmore, and Avery Anna.
Among the most talked-about categories of the night was Entertainer of the Year, which featured an intensely competitive lineup that included Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Megan Moroney, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and reigning powerhouse Lainey Wilson. Wilson once again emerged as one of country music's dominant figures following another year of chart success, touring momentum, and crossover popularity.
The Female Artist of the Year category brought together several of the genre's biggest stars, including Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson. Meanwhile, the Male Artist of the Year category highlighted modern country's leading voices, with nominees including Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Zach Top.
One of the breakout stories of the evening came from Ella Langley, who captured Artist-Songwriter of the Year, further cementing her rapid rise within country music. Langley also received multiple nominations connected to her hit song "Choosin' Texas," which competed in both Song of the Year and Single of the Year categories.
Newcomers also made a strong impact at the ceremony. Avery Anna was named New Female Artist of the Year, while Tucker Wetmore secured the trophy for New Male Artist of the Year, beating out fellow nominees including Shaboozey, Hudson Westbrook, Vincent Mason, and Gavin Adcock.
Elsewhere, acclaimed songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon took home Songwriter of the Year, recognizing her growing influence behind many of Nashville's biggest hits. Stephen Wilson Jr. also earned a major win when his visual for "Cuckoo" captured Visual Media of the Year.
Several of country music's most established names remained heavily represented throughout the awards. Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, Cody Johnson, and Zach Top all earned nominations in multiple major categories, underscoring the depth and diversity currently shaping the genre.
This year's ACM Awards also reflected the continued rise of a younger generation of artists blending traditional country storytelling with crossover appeal and streaming-era popularity. Artists like Megan Moroney, Ella Langley, and Tucker Wetmore have rapidly become some of the most visible new faces in modern country music while still maintaining strong ties to the genre's classic roots.
The report also noted that Megan Moroney entered the ceremony as the most-nominated artist of the year with nine nominations, followed closely by Miranda Lambert with eight nominations. Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each secured seven nominations, highlighting the growing influence of female artists across contemporary country music.
2026 ACM Awards Winners:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
Avery Anna - THE WINNER!
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore - THE WINNER!
Album of the Year (awarded to Artist(s)/Producer(s)/Record Label or Company
Zach Top, Ain't in it For My Health
Carter Faith, Cherry Valley
Riley Green, Don't Mind if I Do (Deluxe)
Morgan Wallen, I'm the Problem
Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum
