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Tommy · Guru

Shania to host 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards - May 17

Tommy · Guru

LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AND BEST-SELLING FEMALE COUNTRY ARTIST SHANIA TWAIN WILL TAKE THE STAGE TO HOST THE 61ST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS FOR THE FIRST TIME

61st ACM Awards Makes Its Triumphant Return to Las Vegas on May 17, 2026
Streaming Live Around the Globe from MGM Grand Garden Arena
Exclusively on Prime Video and Amazon Music

Great Seats for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards Week Events Just Released at AXS.COM

ACM press release | April 22, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — April 22, 2026 — Today, the Academy of Country Music® (ACM), Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions (DCP) announced that legendary songwriter and best-selling female country artist Shania Twain will host the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards for the first time. The 61st ACM Awards will stream live exclusively for a global audience across 240+ countries and territories on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the world-renowned MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans will also be able to watch the broadcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, as well as in the Amazon Music app.

As the top-selling female country-pop artist of all time, globally celebrated songwriter, artist, and performer Shania Twain has established herself as one of music’s most iconic and influential voices. A three-time ACM Award winner and five-time GRAMMY Award winner, Twain helped redefine country music for a global audience with her bold, boundary-pushing sound and undeniable crossover appeal. With six acclaimed studio albums and more than 100 million albums sold worldwide, her influence continues to shape the music industry today.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home.” said Twain. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”

“We are honored to welcome global music superstar Shania Twain as our host this year,” ACM CEO Damon Whiteside said. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect icon to follow our previous iconic hosts, Dolly, Garth, and Reba, blending one of the most important nights in Country Music with the excitement of Las Vegas . Shania has an impressive history on the ACM Awards stage including her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the Year trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting career.”

Returning to the Sunday night timeslot, the Emmy-nominated, star-powered ACM Awards experience will feature unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments from the biggest Country Music stars, including performances by Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.

Leading up to the big night, the Academy of Country Music will take over Las Vegas with previously announced ACM Awards week events including a “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas on Thursday, May 14 with Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry; “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas Friday, May 15 with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins, alongside headliner Riley Green; as well as “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, May 16 with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Keith Urban, Tucker Wetmore, and more.

Tickets for the 61st ACM Awards and ACM Awards week events are available for purchase on AXS.com, offering fans exclusive entry into a nonstop weekend packed with performances by their favorite Country stars.

Fans can also stream the Official ACM Awards playlist available now on Amazon Music in celebration of this year’s nominees. Fans can listen to country music’s biggest stars, such as Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, directly on the Amazon Music app HERE.

Established in 1966, the Academy of Country Music Awards is the longest-running Country Music awards show and made history in 2022 as the first major awards ceremony to exclusively livestream, in collaboration with Prime Video. The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions (DCP). Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton are executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music, and Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade will also continue to serve as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.

Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. The Media Credential Application to cover on-site in Las Vegas, Nevada, is now available HERE.

The Mountain Valley® Spring Water (Instagram: @mountainvalleywater) is the Official Water of the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Follow the Academy of Country Music on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok, join the conversation with #ACMawards, and sign up for the FREE ACM A-List to be the first to know the latest news and for exclusive pre-sale opportunities.

https://www.acmcountry.com/news/legendary-songwriter-and-best-selling-female-country-artist-shania-twain-will-take-the-stage-to-host-the-61st-academy-of-country-music-awards-for-the-first-time

Melissa · Senior Member

I wonder is She will release new music soon and perform at the awards show? Also if the ACM photo promo new?

Koko Twain · Senior Member

I think this photo is new, yes. It's been a while; she should use it as her profile picture. I think the lead single from the new album will be performed at this event. Then promoted in London with Harry Styles. At the least she'll talk about the new album in interviews.

matteotempo · Guru

Koko Twain wrote:
I think this photo is new, yes. It's been a while; she should use it as her profile picture. I think the lead single from the new album will be performed at this event. Then promoted in London with Harry Styles. At the least she'll talk about the new album in interviews.

Yes, the single could be released Friday 15th and performed live during the show.

At least, this is what I'd do...

ShaniaQueenOfMe · Veteran Member

matteotempo wrote:
Koko Twain wrote:
I think this photo is new, yes. It's been a while; she should use it as her profile picture. I think the lead single from the new album will be performed at this event. Then promoted in London with Harry Styles. At the least she'll talk about the new album in interviews.
Yes, the single could be released Friday 15th and performed live during the show.

At least, this is what I'd do...

Yes, I hope Shania uses this to promote her new album. Hopefully she will perform a new song!

Tommy · Guru

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5Ybed8XB50

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyo531pd48Y

Melissa · Senior Member

100% She will perform. She's pretty much said new music soon. Plus The ACM awards are streamed lived and reaches a world wide audience.

Melissa · Senior Member

Tommy your input always helps. Do you think Shania Twain will perform live? I said that because with her last two albums she didn't perform at any awards shows. Also is the new ACM promo photo brand new? I also ask because if new could that be the new single or album cover hint?

schnetzka · Senior Member

Melissa wrote:
Tommy your input always helps. Do you think Shania Twain will perform live? I said that because with her last two albums she didn't perform at any awards shows. Also is the new ACM promo photo brand new? I also ask because if new could that be the new single or album cover hint?

Actually, she performed "Waking Up Dreaming" as part of a medley during the 2022's People's Choice Awards where she won the music icon award.

Tommy · Guru

Melissa wrote:
Tommy your input always helps. Do you think Shania Twain will perform live? I said that because with her last two albums she didn't perform at any awards shows. Also is the new ACM promo photo brand new? I also ask because if new could that be the new single or album cover hint?

If the lead single is released before May 17, it's very likely Shania will sing it at the ACM Awards. Yes, the promo pic is new.