ACM Awards 2026 Winners List: The Clean Sweep Everyone Missed

Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, but the night completely belonged to Ella Langley, who pulled off a historic, flawless sweep of all seven of her nominations. While the headlines focus on the top trophy heading back to Texas, the real story lies in how Langley’s crossover smash “Choosin' Texas” fundamentally shifted the power balance of mainstream country music in a single evening.  

The 2026 ACM Awards Winners List

The 61st ACM Awards, hosted by Shania Twain live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, delivered a night of massive upsets and undisputed dominance. Cody Johnson walked away with the night’s most prestigious title, while Ella Langley became the absolute focal point of the ceremony by winning every single category she was named in.  

Full Breakdown of the Night's Big Wins

The Texas Takeover: Cody Johnson Claims the Crown

Cody Johnson secured his first-ever Entertainer of the Year trophy, alongside winning Male Artist of the Year. In a rare move that showed the character of the Texas native, Johnson used his acceptance speech to dedicate the award to Luke Combs, acknowledging the sacrifices touring artists make away from their families. Johnson also delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the night, skipping his current radio singles to perform a stark, emotional rendition of "Travelin' Soldier."  

The Ella Langley Sweep

Entering the night with seven nominations, breakout star Ella Langley went seven-for-seven. Her monster hit "Choosin' Texas" secured both Song of the Year and Single of the Year. She also claimed Female Artist of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and Music Event of the Year for her chart-topping Riley Green collaboration, "Don't Mind If I Do." Industry insiders noted that if her blockbusting album Dandelion had met the eligibility deadline, she likely would have challenged the entire field for Album of the Year as well.  

Major Category Shockers

• Album of the Year: In a hyper-competitive field that included Morgan Wallen’s blockbuster I’m The Problem, Parker McCollum clinched the trophy for his self-titled project, further cementing the evening’s massive Texas bias.  

  
  

• Group of the Year: Retro-rock outfit The Red Clay Strays unseated Old Dominion, ending their nearly decade-long stranglehold on the category after a fiery performance of "Demons in Your Choir."  

  
  

• Duo of the Year: Icons Brooks & Dunn proved their staying power by adding yet another trophy to their legendary mantle.  

  
  

Show Highlights: Kacey Musgraves and Debut Tracks

The performances at the 2026 ceremony leaned heavily into theatricality and raw country authenticity. Kacey Musgraves made a historic return to the ACM stage with a highly conceptual, tongue-in-cheek performance of her single "Dry Spell," which featured her singing atop a washing machine before moving through a fully realized supermarket stage set.  

Meanwhile, Miranda Lambert debuted her brand-new, disco-infused country track "Crisco," and show-opener Lainey Wilson set the energy bar incredibly high with an intense, choreographed performance of "Can't Sit Still" alongside ten lookalike dancers.  

Quick Facts

• Event Date: May 17, 2026  

  
  

• Host: Shania Twain  

  
  

• Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada  

  
  

• Broadcasting Platform: Prime Video & Amazon Music  

  
  

• Top Winner: Ella Langley (7 Wins)  

  
  

• Top Honor: Cody Johnson (Entertainer of the Year)  

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won Entertainer of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards?

Cody Johnson won Entertainer of the Year for the first time in his career. He also took home the trophy for Male Artist of the Year during the Las Vegas broadcast.  

How many awards did Ella Langley win at the 2026 ACMs?

Ella Langley won all 7 awards she was nominated for, sweeping major categories including Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Choosin' Texas."  

Did Kacey Musgraves perform at the 2026 ACM Awards?

Yes, Kacey Musgraves performed her track "Dry Spell" in a heavily stylized supermarket and laundromat set. This marked a highly anticipated return to the ACM stage for her.  

Where can I stream the 2026 ACM Awards replay?

The 2026 ACM Awards are available to stream live and on-demand exclusively on Prime Video. International viewers can access the broadcast via the Prime Video global application depending on regional rights.  

Who won Album of the Year at the 2026 ACMs?

Parker McCollum won Album of the Year for his self-titled album, beating out heavy favorites like Morgan Wallen and Zach Top.