How to watch the 2026 ACM Awards live online this Sunday

The 2026 ACM Awards are almost here

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, one of the biggest nights in country music, airs this Sunday, May 17, live from the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. According to Billboard, the show kicks off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and streams exclusively on Prime Video. If you have been following the country music scene this year, this is the night to watch.

How to tune in

The only streaming home for the ceremony is Amazon Prime Video, which requires an active Amazon Prime membership at $14.99 a month. Amazon also offers a 30-day free trial for new members. The red carpet preshow begins earlier in the evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT, broadcast exclusively through the Amazon Music app, with hosts Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson of Country Heat Weekly.

For those who prefer to attend in person, tickets are available at AXS.com, with prices starting at $131.41 as of this writing.

If you miss the live broadcast, the full show will be available on Prime Video starting Monday, May 18, at 8 p.m. ET.

Who is performing and presenting

Shania Twain hosts the evening, while performers include Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Riley Green. Presenters lined up for the night include Keith Urban, Michael Bublé, Shaboozy, and Ashley McBryde, among others.

A year dominated by women

The 2026 ACM Awards nominees tell a clear story: female artists lead across the board. Megan Moroney tops the nominations with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and both Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson with seven each. As Billboard notes, this marks the second consecutive year that female solo acts have led the nominations. Other major nominees include Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Kelsea Ballerini.