Country Music Stars Announced for 61st ACM Awards

Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green to headline first wave of performances at the prestigious country music honors show.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:40pm

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The Academy of Country Music has announced the first wave of performers for the 61st ACM Awards, set to take place on May 17, 2026 in Las Vegas. Headliners include Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green, all of whom bring impressive accolades to the stage.

Why it matters

The ACM Awards are the longest-running country music honors show, celebrating the genre's most iconic and emerging talent. The announcement of the initial performers generates excitement for the upcoming ceremony and related events that make up 'ACM Awards Week' in Las Vegas.

The details

Cody Johnson, the 2025 Song of the Year winner, will take the stage. Lainey Wilson, the current Entertainer of the Year and a 16-time ACM winner, will debut a new track. Riley Green, a four-time ACM recipient, is set to perform his hit 'Change My Mind.' The awards ceremony will livestream globally on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

  • The 61st ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
  • ACM Awards Week events will run from May 15-17, 2026.

The players

Cody Johnson

A country music singer-songwriter who won Song of the Year at the 2025 ACM Awards.

Lainey Wilson

The current Entertainer of the Year and a 16-time ACM winner, who will debut a new track at the ceremony.

Riley Green

A four-time ACM Award recipient, who will perform his hit 'Change My Mind.'

Academy of Country Music

The organization that has been hosting the longest-running country music honors show since 1966.

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What’s next

Tickets for the ACM Awards ceremony and related events during ACM Awards Week are available at AXS.com.

The takeaway

The announcement of the initial performers for the 61st ACM Awards builds anticipation for the prestigious country music honors show, which will showcase both established and rising stars in the genre.