ACM Awards 2026 Winners: Ella Langley Dominates as Cody Johnson Claims Country Music’s Biggest Prize

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards delivered one of the most memorable nights country music has seen in recent years, blending established superstars, breakthrough talent, emotional speeches, and major career-defining victories under the bright lights of Las Vegas.

Hosted for the first time by country icon Shania Twain at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2026, the ACM Awards celebrated both the genre’s enduring legends and its next generation of chart-topping artists. By the end of the evening, two names stood above the rest: Ella Langley and Cody Johnson.

Langley emerged as the night’s breakout force, sweeping multiple categories and cementing her rapid rise in modern country music. Meanwhile, Cody Johnson captured the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, delivering one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments with a heartfelt tribute to fellow nominee Luke Combs.

A Landmark Night for Ella Langley

Few artists arrived at the 2026 ACM Awards with more momentum than Ella Langley, and the Alabama-born singer-songwriter exceeded expectations by dominating the ceremony.

Langley collected major honors including:

• Female Artist of the Year
• Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas”
• Single of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas”
• Artist-Songwriter of the Year

The song “Choosin’ Texas” became the defining anthem of the evening, winning over both voters and fans with its blend of traditional country storytelling and modern production. The track also reflected the growing influence of female artists within country music, a theme that shaped the entire 2026 awards season.

Industry observers viewed Langley’s sweep as a sign of changing dynamics in Nashville. While country music has long been dominated by veteran male acts, the 2026 ACMs highlighted a generation of women commanding commercial success, streaming numbers, and critical acclaim simultaneously.

Shania Twain acknowledged that trend before the ceremony, saying she was excited to celebrate a year in which “so many talented women” led the nominations.

Cody Johnson Wins Entertainer of the Year

While Langley dominated the overall trophy count, Cody Johnson captured the night’s most prestigious award: Entertainer of the Year.

Johnson defeated a stacked field that included Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Morgan Wallen, Megan Moroney, and Lainey Wilson. The victory marked Johnson’s first ACM Entertainer of the Year win after multiple previous nominations.

The Texas native also secured Male Artist of the Year, making him one of the ceremony’s biggest overall winners.

However, Johnson’s acceptance speech became one of the defining moments of the broadcast. Instead of focusing solely on his own achievement, he dedicated the award to Luke Combs.

“There’s a man who was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music,” Johnson said during his emotional speech.

Johnson recalled witnessing Combs perform in Australia shortly after Combs learned he had missed the birth of one of his children due to touring obligations.

“So, tonight I want to dedicate my first Entertainer of the Year award to my buddy, Luke Combs,” Johnson added. “I love you, brother.”

The speech quickly became one of the most talked-about moments on social media following the ceremony, reflecting the camaraderie that continues to define much of country music culture.

Chris Stapleton Continues His ACM Legacy

Even without taking home the top prizes, Chris Stapleton remained one of the central figures of the 2026 ACM Awards.

The Kentucky native entered the ceremony with six nominations, leading all male artists and further extending one of the most consistent award-show runs in modern country music. Stapleton had already accumulated 21 ACM Awards before this year’s ceremony.

Stapleton received nominations in several major categories, including:

• Entertainer of the Year
• Male Artist of the Year
• Song of the Year
• Music Event of the Year
• Visual Media of the Year

His collaboration with Miranda Lambert, “A Song to Sing,” became one of the most recognized projects of the evening, earning nominations across multiple categories.

Stapleton’s continued prominence underscores his unusual staying power in an industry often driven by rapid turnover and streaming trends. Nearly two decades into his career, he remains both a commercial powerhouse and a respected critical favorite.

Stephen Wilson Jr. Scores Breakthrough Victory

One of the ceremony’s most inspiring stories belonged to Stephen Wilson Jr., who earned his first-ever ACM nomination and victory.

The Seymour, Indiana native won Visual Media of the Year for “Cuckoo,” beating projects from Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and Chris Stapleton with Miranda Lambert.

Wilson’s rise has been one of country music’s most compelling recent success stories. After breaking through with his 2023 debut album “Søn of Dad,” he built a reputation as both an innovative solo artist and an in-demand songwriter.

Over the years, Wilson has written songs for artists including:

• Tim McGraw
• Old Dominion
• Trace Adkins
• Caitlyn Smith
• Mackenzie Porter
• Kameron Marlow
• Leigh Nash

His ACM win may signal a broader mainstream breakthrough ahead.

Megan Moroney’s Surprising Shutout

Another major storyline emerged from Megan Moroney’s unexpected outcome at the awards.

Moroney entered the evening as one of the most heavily nominated artists, earning nine nominations overall. Yet despite that strong showing, she left the ACM Awards without a victory.

Her absence from the ceremony also drew attention. Reports noted that Moroney skipped the event because she was serving as maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding.

Even without wins, Moroney’s repeated appearances across major categories confirmed her continued influence within country music’s current landscape.

Performances Helped Shape the Night

The 2026 ACM Awards balanced its awards presentation with a packed performance lineup featuring many of the genre’s biggest names.

Artists who took the stage included:

• Miranda Lambert
• Lainey Wilson
• Kacey Musgraves
• Riley Green
• Blake Shelton
• Zach Top
• Carter Faith
• Little Big Town
• Dan + Shay
• Kane Brown

Several performances stood out for introducing new material or highlighting evolving artistic directions.

Kacey Musgraves performed a new song from her “Middle of Nowhere” album, while Lainey Wilson premiered “Can’t Sit Still.” Riley Green also delivered a performance of “Change My Mind.”

The show itself reflected country music’s increasingly broad stylistic range, blending traditional storytelling with modern country-pop production and crossover influences.

Full List of Major ACM Awards 2026 Winners

Entertainer of the Year

Winner: Cody Johnson

Female Artist of the Year

Winner: Ella Langley

Male Artist of the Year

Winner: Cody Johnson

Group of the Year

Winner: The Red Clay Strays

Duo of the Year

Winner: Brooks & Dunn

Album of the Year

Winner: Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum

Song of the Year

Winner: “Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley

Single of the Year

Winner: “Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley

Music Event of the Year

Winner: “Don’t Mind If I Do” — Riley Green feat. Ella Langley

Visual Media of the Year

Winner: “Cuckoo” — Stephen Wilson Jr.

Songwriter of the Year

Winner: Jessie Jo Dillon

Artist-Songwriter of the Year

Winner: Ella Langley

New Male Artist of the Year

Winner: Tucker Wetmore

New Female Artist of the Year

Winner: Avery Anna

What the 2026 ACM Awards Revealed About Country Music

Beyond the trophies, the 2026 ACM Awards highlighted several major trends shaping country music today.

Female Artists Are Leading the Genre

Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Megan Moroney, and Kelsea Ballerini all played major roles throughout the evening. Their visibility reflects the growing commercial and creative power of women within country music.

Genre Boundaries Continue to Expand

Collaborations involving artists like Jelly Roll and Shaboozey demonstrated how country music increasingly overlaps with rock, hip-hop, Americana, and mainstream pop influences.

Storytelling Still Matters

Despite evolving production styles, many of the night’s biggest winners succeeded because of emotionally resonant songwriting. Songs like “Choosin’ Texas” and “A Song to Sing” emphasized country music’s enduring focus on personal storytelling.

Conclusion

The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards showcased a genre balancing tradition and transformation.

Cody Johnson’s emotional Entertainer of the Year win reflected country music’s loyalty to authenticity and live performance excellence. Ella Langley’s breakout sweep signaled the arrival of a major new force capable of shaping the genre’s future for years to come.

At the same time, veterans like Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, and Brooks & Dunn continued proving their staying power, while artists such as Stephen Wilson Jr. demonstrated that fresh voices still have room to break through.

As country music continues evolving globally and digitally, the ACM Awards offered a clear message: the genre’s future is expanding, diverse, and more competitive than ever.