From Entertainer of the Year to the New Artist categories

The Academy of Country Music hosts its 61st annual awards on May 17 in Las Vegas, but at least one category has already been announced. Avery Anna, who released the EP Forgive, Forget last month, was named New Female Artist of the Year. The Arizona native bested Mackenzie Carpenter, Dasha, Caroline Jones, and Emily Ann Roberts to take home the trophy.

Anna, who made her debut in 2024 with the album Breakup Over Breakfast and recently turned heads with a live cover of Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears,” received news of her win after her performance at the Lone Star Smokeout festival in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday.

“I’m just so grateful for this, l’m so honored,” Anna said. “Thank you guys for rallying for me, supporting me and cheering me on.”

Last year’s winner for New Female Artist of the Year is now country’s biggest star: Ella Langley. The “Choosin’ Texas” singer scored seven nominations at this year’s ACMs, tying with Lainey Wilson. The 2024 New Female winner, Megan Moroney, is this year’s leading nominee with nine.

The 2026 ACM Awards, hosted by Shania Twain, get underway at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas on Sunday, May 17, at 8 p.m./ET and stream live on Prime Video. Tickets for the ceremony-slash-concert, which features performances by Lainey Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, and Miranda Lambert, are on sale now at axs.com.

Here are the winners, in bold, for the 61st annual ACM Awards.

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
Mackenzie Carpenter
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts

Editor’s picks

New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Hudson Westbrook
Tucker Wetmore

Album of the Year
Ain’t in It for My Health, Zach Top
Cherry Valley, Carter Faith
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe), Riley Green
I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen
Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum

Song of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure)
“Am I Okay?,” Megan Moroney (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon)
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor)
“I Never Lie,” Zach Top (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)

Single of the Year
“6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
“I Never Lie,” Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson

Music Event of the Year
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen,” Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do,” Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
“Trailblazer,” Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had to Be There,” Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney”

Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later,” Megan Moroney
“A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo,” Stephen Wilson Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson
“The Fall,” Cody Johnson

Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass

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Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen

The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corp., the parent company of Rolling Stone.