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The Academy of Country Music announced on Monday (December 1) that the 61st annual show will return to Las Vegas, Nevada. The switch happens after a three-year run at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco Texas.
The 61st ACM Awards will take place on Sunday, May 17, 2026 on the MGM Garden Arena stage. Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside said in a statement that “we couldn’t be more thrilled to return to MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a place that holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like a homecoming for us. There’s no better place to host an exciting, global Country Music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!”
Reba McEntire hosted the milestone 60th show earlier this year in Texas. The star-studded event included heartfelt moments and performances by Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson and many other artists. The Academy of Country Music has not announced the 61st annual show’s host, performers, presenters or other details as of publication time. Additional ACM Awards week events will be announced in early 2026, per the announcement on Monday.