61st ACM Awards Adds Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, and More to Performer Lineup—Shania Twain Hosts May 17 on Prime Video
Here’s a performer announcement that keeps stacking the stage: the Academy of Country Music, Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions today revealed the next round of powerhouse performers set to take the stage at the 61st ACM Awards. The lineup includes Avery Anna, Blake Shelton, Carter Faith, Dan + Shay, Ella Langley, Jordan Davis, Kane Brown, The Red Clay Strays, Thomas Rhett, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top, joining previously announced superstar performers Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and Riley Green. Hosted by legendary songwriter and best-selling female country artist Shania Twain, the 61st ACM Awards stream live exclusively on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with additional performances and presenters still to be announced.
The New Additions
The expanded performer roster spans country music’s multiple generations and styles.
Blake Shelton, six-time ACM Award recipient and former ACM Awards host, returns to the stage he knows well from both performing and hosting duties across his career.
Dan + Shay, seven-time ACM Award recipients, bring the harmonies that have defined their duo’s dominance.
Thomas Rhett, seven-time ACM Award recipient, continues his annual ACM presence.
Kane Brown, ACM Award winner, adds contemporary country muscle to the lineup.
Ella Langley, five-time ACM Award recipient and one of this year’s top nominees with seven nominations, returns to perform.
Jordan Davis, two-time ACM Award recipient, brings his songwriting-forward approach to the stage.
Zach Top, 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year, returns with five nominations this year including Male Artist of the Year.
Tucker Wetmore, who was surprised with news of his ACM New Male Artist of the Year award at his concert in London last night, will perform in celebration of that win.
Avery Anna, newly crowned ACM New Female Artist of the Year, performs in celebration of her first-time win.
Carter Faith, first-time ACM Award nominee and Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist, makes her ACM Awards performance debut.
The Red Clay Strays, reigning ACM New Group of the Year recipients, make their ACM Awards performance debut.
The Complete Performer Roster
The previously announced performers create a foundation that the new additions expand.
Cody Johnson brings his third consecutive Entertainer of the Year nomination alongside Visual Media of the Year recognition.
Kacey Musgraves adds artistic credibility and crossover appeal.
Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year with seven nominations this year, defends her title while performing.
Little Big Town provides the vocal group excellence that’s defined their career.
Miranda Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM Awards history with eight nominations this year, brings the star power her legacy commands.
Riley Green, with four nominations including his first for Male Artist of the Year, performs ahead of his headlining spot at Friday’s Topgolf event.
Combined with the newly announced performers, the roster spans veterans and newcomers, traditionalists and contemporary stars, established award winners and first-time nominees.
The New Artist Celebrations
Three performers take the stage specifically to celebrate New Artist wins.
Avery Anna performs following her ACM New Female Artist of the Year victory, the recognition launching her into the awards show spotlight.
Tucker Wetmore brings particular energy after being surprised with his ACM New Male Artist of the Year announcement during his London concert. The international reveal adds drama to what his ACM performance will represent.
The Red Clay Strays make their performance debut as reigning New Group of the Year recipients, their trajectory from newcomers to ACM stage headliners happening in real time.
The Host
Shania Twain brings legendary status to hosting duties.
As best-selling female country artist and songwriter whose crossover success redefined what country music could achieve commercially, Twain provides gravitas that younger hosts might lack. Her perspective spans country music’s transformation from traditional format to global phenomenon.
The hosting announcement positions the 61st ACM Awards as celebration of country’s past and present, Twain’s presence honoring legacy while the performer roster showcases current dominance.
The Awards Week Events
The Academy of Country Music takes over Las Vegas throughout the week leading to the May 17 broadcast.
Thursday, May 14: “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas featuring Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry.
Friday, May 15: “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas with Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins alongside headliner Riley Green.
Saturday, May 16: “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach, headlined by Keith Urban, with Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, Tucker Wetmore, and more.
Tickets for the awards and all week events are available on AXS.com.
The Broadcast Details
The 61st ACM Awards stream live exclusively on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The broadcast will also be available on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and in the Amazon Music app, reaching 240+ countries and territories worldwide.
The Official ACM Awards playlist is available now on Amazon Music, featuring this year’s nominees including top nominee Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson.
The Production Team
The 61st ACM Awards is produced by Dick Clark Productions. Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton serve as executive producers, with Kapoor also serving as showrunner. Damon Whiteside serves as executive producer for the Academy of Country Music. Jay Penske and Barry Adelman serve as executive producers for DCP. John Saade continues as consulting producer for Amazon MGM Studios.
Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
Who Should Watch May 17
If this performer lineup excites you: Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and more on one stage represents the genre’s full scope.
If new artist breakthroughs appeal: Avery Anna, Tucker Wetmore, Carter Faith, and The Red Clay Strays all perform as winners or first-time nominees.
If Shania Twain’s hosting intrigues you: The legendary artist bringing her perspective to country’s biggest night adds dimension beyond typical hosting.
If ACM week events work with your schedule: Thursday through Sunday programming in Las Vegas provides multiple engagement points.
If you follow the nomination races: Top nominees Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson all see their fates decided live.
May 17 Crowns Country’s Best
The 61st ACM Awards stream live on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Shania Twain hosts. Blake Shelton, Kane Brown, Dan + Shay, Thomas Rhett, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, and more perform. New artists celebrate breakthrough wins. Country music’s longest-running awards show continues.
More performers and presenters still to come. Tickets available on AXS.com. Official playlist streaming on Amazon Music.
May 17. The stage is set. Country’s biggest night awaits.
