61st ACM Awards Return to Las Vegas in 2026

Country music stars to host pre-show events at Topgolf and Mandalay Bay Beach

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, 2026, marking the show's first time back in Sin City since 2022. In the lead-up to the main event, ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends will take over Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15, followed by ACM Next Wave: Country's Beach Bash at Mandalay Bay Beach on May 16. Presales for all the ACM events start on Wednesday, before they go on sale to the public on Friday. The 61st ACM Awards will also be livestreamed on Prime Video.

Why it matters

The ACM Awards are one of the biggest annual events in country music, drawing top artists and industry figures to Las Vegas. The return of the show to the city after a few years away is seen as a sign of the genre's continued popularity and the enduring appeal of Las Vegas as a destination for major music events.

The details

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17, 2026. In the lead-up to the main event, two special pre-show events are planned: ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends at Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15, and ACM Next Wave: Country's Beach Bash at Mandalay Bay Beach on May 16. Presales for all the ACM events will begin on Wednesday, before going on sale to the general public on Friday. The 61st ACM Awards will also be livestreamed on Prime Video.

  • The 61st ACM Awards will take place on May 17, 2026.
  • ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends will be held on May 15, 2026.
  • ACM Next Wave: Country's Beach Bash will be held on May 16, 2026.
  • Presales for all ACM events will begin on Wednesday, before going on sale to the public on Friday.

The players

Academy of Country Music

The organization that presents the annual ACM Awards, one of the biggest events in country music.

MGM Grand Garden Arena

The venue in Las Vegas that will host the 61st ACM Awards.

Riley Green

A country music artist who will be featured at the ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green event.

Topgolf Las Vegas

The entertainment venue that will host the ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green event.

Mandalay Bay Beach

The beach area at the Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas that will host the ACM Next Wave: Country's Beach Bash event.

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What’s next

Presales for all the ACM events will begin on Wednesday, before going on sale to the general public on Friday.

The takeaway

The return of the ACM Awards to Las Vegas in 2026 underscores the city's enduring appeal as a destination for major country music events, and the continued popularity of the genre among fans. The pre-show events at Topgolf and Mandalay Bay Beach will give attendees a chance to experience the excitement of the ACMs beyond just the main awards show.