The Academy of Country Music, Prime Video, and Dick Clark Productions have announced the presenter lineup for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, bringing together country music stars, NFL legends, NASCAR drivers, and international recording artists for the May 17, 2026 ceremony. Hosted by legendary country artist Shania Twain, the awards show will stream live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas starting at 8 p.m. ET, reaching a global audience across more than 240 countries and territories.
The diverse presenter roster includes Super Bowl champion and Thursday Night Football analyst Andrew Whitworth, three-time ACM Award winner Ashley McBryde, NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards, NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie, 14-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban, Grammy-winning artist Michael Bublé, former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, four-time ACM nominee Shaboozey, Emmy-winning duo The War and Treaty, and Brothers Osborne member TJ Osborne. The ceremony returns to its traditional Sunday night timeslot featuring performances from Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and numerous other country stars celebrating the genre’s biggest and emerging talents.
Cross-Industry Presenter Appeal
The 61st ACM Awards’ presenter lineup demonstrates the ceremony’s strategic approach to broadening country music’s appeal beyond traditional boundaries by incorporating figures from sports and international music. The inclusion of NFL personalities Andrew Whitworth and Ryan Fitzpatrick, both Thursday Night Football analysts for Prime Video, creates natural synergy with the streaming platform’s sports programming while tapping into football’s massive fanbase that overlaps significantly with country music demographics.
NASCAR’s representation through Hall of Famer Carl Edwards and current driver Corey LaJoie, co-host of the Stacking Pennies podcast, acknowledges the deep historical connection between country music and motorsports culture. This relationship extends back decades, with country artists frequently performing at NASCAR events and drivers appearing in country music videos, creating cultural crossover that makes their presence at the ACM Awards feel organic rather than forced.
Michael Bublé’s participation as a five-time Grammy winner brings international pop credibility while representing the broader entertainment industry’s recognition of country music’s commercial and artistic significance. Bublé’s inclusion suggests potential collaborative performances or cross-genre moments that could generate viral social media content and expand the ceremony’s appeal beyond core country audiences.
The country music presenters themselves represent different eras and subgenres within the format. Ashley McBryde embodies contemporary traditional country, while Shaboozey represents country’s ongoing evolution and genre-blending that incorporates hip-hop and R&B influences. Keith Urban bridges mainstream pop-country with musicianship credibility, and The War and Treaty bring gospel-influenced soul to country’s expanding sonic palette.
Performance Lineup and Ceremony Format
Beyond the presenter announcements, the 61st ACM Awards promises “unprecedented performances, exclusive collaborations, and unexpected moments” from country music’s biggest stars. The previously announced performance roster includes established superstars like Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert, and Little Big Town alongside rising artists including Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Ella Langley, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top.
This balance between legacy acts and emerging talent reflects the ACM Awards’ mission to celebrate country music’s history while championing its future. The inclusion of artists like The Red Clay Strays and Zach Top, who represent country music’s independent and roots-oriented movements, demonstrates awareness that the genre’s creative vitality increasingly exists outside major label Nashville structures.
The Emmy-nominated production returns to Sunday night programming after previous scheduling experiments, reclaiming country music’s traditional weekend prime-time position that historically delivered maximum viewership. The 8 p.m. ET start time accommodates both East Coast prime time and West Coast dinner hour viewing, optimizing accessibility for Prime Video’s global streaming audience.
ACM Awards Week Events in Las Vegas
Leading up to the main ceremony, the Academy of Country Music transforms Las Vegas into a multi-day country music destination through curated events designed for both fans and industry professionals. The “Whiskey Jam Welcome Party” at Ole Red Las Vegas on May 14 features Avery Anna, Caroline Jones, Jenna Paulette, and The Band Perry, kicking off the weekend with an intimate venue performance.
Friday’s “ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green: Riley Green & Friends” at Topgolf Las Vegas combines charitable fundraising with golf-themed entertainment, featuring Riley Green alongside Avery Anna, Lauren Alaina, Randy Houser, and Rodney Atkins. This event supports ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm dedicated to improving lives through music and providing aid during crises with particular focus on health initiatives.
Saturday’s “ACM Next Wave: Country’s Beach Bash” at Mandalay Bay Beach positions emerging artists alongside established star Keith Urban in a festival-style environment that showcases the genre’s developing talent including Ashley Cooke, Braxton Keith, Dasha, Flatland Cavalry, and Tucker Wetmore. The beach setting provides casual atmosphere contrasting with Sunday’s formal ceremony while maintaining the weekend’s celebratory momentum.
Tickets for both the main ceremony and ACM Awards Week events are available through AXS.com starting at $100, making the experience accessible to fans who travel to Las Vegas specifically for country music’s biggest weekend.