The 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards nominations, announced on Thursday morning (April 9), showcase a remarkable dominance by women artists. For the second consecutive year, a female solo artist leads the nominations, with this year's top four most-nominated artists all being women. Megan Moroney leads with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each securing seven nominations.

Miranda Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM history with 33 wins, received her most nominations in a single year since 2017. Her 17th nomination for female artist of the year allows her to surpass Reba McEntire, who had 16 nominations in that category. Lambert and McEntire share a nomination this year for music event of the year for “Trailblazer,” which also features Lainey Wilson. McEntire, nominated twice for her work on the record as both artist and producer, receives her first ACM nods since 2021.

Megan Moroney earned her first nomination for entertainer of the year, a category featuring six repeat nominees. Chris Stapleton, a 2023 winner, received his eighth nonconsecutive nomination. Luke Combs, nominated for the seventh year in a row, is vying for his first win in this category, which would complete an ACM Triple Crown. Morgan Wallen, with his fourth consecutive entertainer of the year nod, also seeks his first win. Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, and Lainey Wilson each received their third entertainer of the year nominations. Wilson, who won the last two years, could become the first person to win three years running since Jason Aldean (2016-2018) and the first woman ever to achieve this feat.

In the album of the year category, Carter Faith's "Cherry Valley" made a surprise appearance as the first debut album nominated since Chris Stapleton’s "Traveller" a decade ago. It competes against Morgan Wallen's "I’m the Problem," Zach Top's "Ain’t in It for My Health," and albums by first-time nominees Riley Green and Parker McCollum.

Lainey Wilson's “Somewhere Over Laredo” stands out as the only work to receive nominations for single, song, and visual media of the year. Its interpolation of “Over the Rainbow” led to posthumous song of the year nominations for co-writers Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg. Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” and Zach Top’s “I Never Lie” were nominated for both single and song of the year.

The new male artist of the year category includes Gavin Adcock, Shaboozey, and Tucker Wetmore, all nominated for the second consecutive year. Dasha also received her second consecutive new female artist of the year nomination. Notably, the ACM quietly discontinued its new duo/group of the year category due to insufficient qualified entries.

Long-standing artists continue to add to their impressive nomination tallies. Brooks & Dunn received their 26th nomination for duo of the year, extending their record. Other artists with significant nominations include Rascal Flatts (14th for group of the year), Brothers Osborne (12th for duo of the year), Old Dominion (11th for group of the year), Chris Stapleton (11th for male artist of the year), and Kelsea Ballerini (9th for female artist of the year). Ballerini, if she does not win this year, will join Anne Murray as the only artists to go 0-9 in that category.

Chris Stapleton is the most-nominated male artist with six nods, followed by Zach Top (five), and Cody Johnson and Riley Green (four each). Stapleton is poised to tie two major records: a single win would tie George Strait for most ACM Awards by a male artist (19), and a male artist of the year win would tie Merle Haggard for the most wins in that category (six).

Behind-the-scenes professionals also received recognition. Producer/songwriter Carson Chamberlain leads non-artist nominations with three nods for his work with Zach Top. Dann Huff, Charlie Handsome, Jessie Jo Dillon, Kristian Bush, Christen Pinkston, Wesley Stebbins-Perry, and Tim Cofield each received two nominations. The duo Thelma & James, comprised of MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, marks the fourth consecutive year a married couple has been nominated for duo of the year.

The ACM also announced nominees for its Studio Recording Awards (eight categories) and Industry Awards (10 categories). Producer of the Year nominees include Will Bundy, Carson Chamberlain, Dann Huff, Chris LaCorte, and Ben West. Dann Huff, with five prior wins, could tie Jay Joyce for the most wins in this category. For Audio Engineer of the Year, nominees are Dave Clauss, Jim Cooley, Eric Masse, Buckley Miller, and Justin Niebank. Niebank holds the record with nine wins in this category.

The 2026 ACM Awards will be presented at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17 and will stream live on Prime Video for the fifth consecutive year.