The Academy of Country Music has revealed the first performers for the 2026 ACM Awards, naming stars Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, and Riley Green to the lineup. The live awards show will broadcast exclusively on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 17, at 8 p.m. ET. The announcement kicks off planning for country music’s annual celebration, though a host, nominees, and additional details remain to be unveiled.
Key Takeaways:
- Top-Tier Talent: The first announced performers are reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, 2025 ACM Song of the Year winner Cody Johnson, and hitmaker Riley Green.
- New Music Premiere: Lainey Wilson will debut her new single, "Can’t Sit Still," live during the ceremony.
- Charity Event: Riley Green will also headline the ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green benefit in Las Vegas on May 15.
- Streaming Home: For another year, the ACM Awards will air live and exclusively on Amazon’s Prime Video platform.
- Leadership Shift: Executive producer Patrick Menton has been promoted, while Academy CEO Damon Whiteside will oversee this event before stepping down in June.
Reigning Champions and New Hits Take the Stage
Lainey Wilson enters the show as the ACM’s current top entertainer and will use the platform to premiere a new song from her upcoming Netflix documentary. Cody Johnson, last year’s songwriting honoree, will perform an undisclosed selection, while Riley Green is slated to deliver his popular track "Change My Mind," connecting with fans through one of his signature tunes.
Production and Venue Shift for 2026 Broadcast
The 2026 ceremony marks a return to a Las Vegas venue after recent years in Texas, with longtime showrunner Raj Kapoor now partnering with newly promoted executive producer Patrick Menton. The production is a collaboration between Dick Clark Productions and the Academy of Country Music, with oversight from Amazon MGM Studios, as the event continues its exclusive streaming partnership with Prime Video.
Sources
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/lainey-wilson-admits-being-broke-213414775.html
