The awards show, hosted by Shania Twain, featured standout performances and a strong showing for Ella Langley, who won in all seven categories.


Ella Langley accepts the Female Artist of the Year award.

Country music’s biggest and brightest stars gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday for the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Shania Twain. But the night, ultimately, belonged to Ella Langley — the new queen of modern country.

The singer-songwriter dominated the ceremony, sweeping all seven of her nominations across five categories, including Female Artist of the Year. In two categories — Song of the Year and Single of the Year, both for her song “Choosin’ Texas” — she was awarded multiple trophies, as the Academy of Country Music recognizes songwriting and recording contributions separately. (See the full winners list.)

Topping this year’s nominees was Megan Moroney, who was up for a total of nine awards, including the coveted Entertainer of the Year. Moroney, who skipped the awards show to be the maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding, didn’t win an award.

Following close behind Moroney in nominations was Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM Awards history. Lambert, whose recent duet with rumored frenemy Kacey Musgraves made headlines last month, was nominated in eight categories, including Female Artist of the Year.

From Shania Twain hosting in Las Vegas to Graham Barham’s barefoot casino antics, the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards were a spectacle packed with surprises and standout performances. The winners list reads like a who’s who of country’s present and future.

The star-studded slate of performers included several of the awards show’s nominated singer-songwriters, including Langley; Lambert; Wilson; Cody Johnson, the winner of the coveted Entertainer of the Year award; and Parker McCollum, who won Album of the Year. Musgraves sang “Dry Spell,” from her freshly released LP, Middle of Nowhere.

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