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The "Academy of Country Music Awards" 2026 will feature the biggest and best country music stars descending on the MGM Arena in Las Vegas this weekend in the genre's biggest night. Better still? Shania Twain is hosting the huge event, now in its 61st year.
Below is our guide on how to watch the "Academy of Country Music Awards" 2026 online from anywhere using a VPN — potentially for free.
The "Academy of Country Music Awards" 2026 take place on Sunday, May 17 and will stream live via Amazon Prime Video and on the Amazon Music Twitch channel.
► Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT / 1 a.m. BST (Mon.) / 10 a.m. AEDT (Mon.)
• Watch globally — Prime Video
• Watch Prime anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
The likes of Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and Ella Langley are all up for big awards on the night. The event this year has moved away from Texas, where it has been held for the past three awards ceremonies, while frequent host Reba McEntire has stepped aside this year, too.
If you're into cowboy shows like "Yellowstone" or just enjoy the uplifting, gritty vibes of country music itself, you'll have skin in the game when it comes to this year's event. Plus, many of the big winners from the 2025 "Academy of Country Music Awards" show will be back this time around vying for glory again, so there's lots of familiar faces even if the setting isn't the same.
Below, you’ll find all the details regarding this epic, two-hour long ceremony, including live-stream information so you can watch the "Academy of Country Music Awards" 2026 on the night from anywhere in the world.
Can I watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 for free?
Yes! Though the "Academy of Country Music Awards" 2026 will go out on Prime Video in more than 240 countries worldwide, you don't need a Prime subscription to watch the ceremony live.
All you need is a standard Amazon account.
Away from home right now? Watch with a VPN to catch your regular stream. We recommend NordVPN.
Watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 from anywhere
Traveling and suddenly blocked from your usual streaming apps? A VPN (virtual private network) can make your device appear to be back home, so you can securely access your existing subscriptions while abroad.
We’ve tested many VPNs, and NordVPN is the best option right now. It’s fast and reliable, works on most devices, and is great for streaming. You can also try it risk‑free thanks to its 30‑day money‑back guarantee.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're outside the U.S. but want to watch the show as usual, you'd select a U.S. server from the list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Open Prime Video and search for “Academy of Country Music Awards” 2026 to start streaming the special event.
Watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards' in the U.S.
Prime Video will be streaming the awards ceremony live from Las Vegas, and you can also watch along on the Amazon Music Channel on Twitch. The action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 17.
The great thing about watching the "Academy of Country Music Awards" is that you don't even need a fully fledged Prime account. You can see the night unfold using a standard Amazon account so it won't cost a penny.
Should you want to try Prime, it comes with a 30-day free trial for new subscribers.
Traveling abroad? You can still use your existing Amazon subscription with a VPN like NordVPN (get a free $50 Amazon gift card) to securely access your paid streaming apps while you’re away.
Watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 in the U.K.
It's the same situation in the U.K. where the "Academy of Country Music Awards" will be live-streamed via Amazon Prime. You'll have to stay up late, though, with the coverage starting at 1 a.m. BST.
Remember, you just need an Amazon account to watch for free.
If you’re outside the U.K. and can’t access your usual library, a VPN like NordVPN can help you sign in and watch as normal.
Watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards’ in Canada
Canadian viewers can stream the "Academy of Country Music Awards" on Prime Video on Sunday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
Traveling abroad? Use a VPN like NordVPN (try risk-free) to access your usual Canadian streaming apps on the go.
Watch ‘Academy of Country Music Awards’ in Australia
In Australia, the "Academy of Country Music Awards" are also streaming through Prime Video at 10 a.m. AEST on May 18 (it'll be early morning in Australia when the event starts).
Traveling abroad? With NordVPN, those on the go can securely access their usual streaming services — including Prime Video — from anywhere.
'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 teaser
'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026 Q&A
Who are the nominees for the 'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026?
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Jelly Roll
- Cody Johnson
- Megan Moroney
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Riley Green
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
Album of the Year
- Ain’t in It for My Health — Zach Top
- Cherry Valley — Carter Faith
- Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) — Riley Green
- I’m the Problem — Morgan Wallen
- Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
Song of the Year
- “A Song to Sing,” Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure)
- “Am I Okay?,” Megan Moroney (Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon)
- “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley (Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor)
- “I Never Lie,” Zach Top (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
- “Somewhere Over Laredo,” Lainey Wilson (Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg)
Single of the Year
- “6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
- “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley
- “I Never Lie” by Zach Top
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” by Cody Johnson
Group of the Year
- 49 Winchester
- Flatland Cavalry
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
New Female Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna
- Mackenzie Carpenter
- Dasha
- Caroline Jones
- Emily Ann Roberts
New Male Artist of the Year
- Gavin Adcock
- Vincent Mason
- Shaboozey
- Hudson Westbrook
- Tucker Wetmore
Music Event of the Year
- “A Song to Sing” — Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- “Amen” — Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
- “Don’t Mind If I Do” — Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
- “Trailblazer” — Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
- “You Had to Be There” — Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Visual Media of the Year
- “6 Months Later” by Megan Moroney
- “A Song to Sing” by Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
- “Cuckoo” by Stephen Wilson Jr.
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” by Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” by Cody Johnson
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Ella Langley
- Luke Combs
- Megan Moroney
- Morgan Wallen
- Riley Green
Songwriter of the Year
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Charlie Handsome
- Chase McGill
- Blake Pendergrass
Who has the most nominations at 'Academy of Country Music Awards' 2026?
- Megan Moroney (9)
- Miranda Lambert (8)
- Ella Langley (7)
- Lainey Wilson (7)
- Chris Stapleton (6)
- Zach Top (5)
- Riley Green (4)
- Cody Johnson (4)
- Luke Combs (3)
- Morgan Wallen (3)
- Jelly Roll (2)
- Reba McEntire (2)
- Shaboozey (2)
- 49 Winchester (1)
- Gavin Adcock (1)
- Avery Anna (1)
- Kelsea Ballerini (1)
- Brooks & Dunn (1)
- Brothers Osborne (1)
- Mackenzie Carpenter (1)
- Kenny Chesney (1)
- Dan + Shay (1)
- Dasha (1)
- Carter Faith (1)
- Flatland Cavalry (1)
- Caroline Jones (1)
- Vincent Mason (1)
- Parker McCollum (1)
- Muscadine Bloodline (1)
- Old Dominion (1)
- Rascal Flatts (1)
- The Red Clay Strays (1)
- Emily Ann Roberts (1)
- Thelma & James (1)
- Hudson Westbrook (1)
- Tucker Wetmore (1)
- Stephen Wilson Jr. (1)
Who is performing at this year's ceremony?
- Avery Anna
- Blake Shelton
- Carter Faith
- Cody Johnson
- Dan + Shay
- Ella Langley
- Jordan Davis
- Kacey Musgraves
- Kane Brown
- Lainey Wilson
- Lee Ann Womack
- Little Big Town
- Miranda Lambert
- Parker McCollum
- Riley Green
- The Red Clay Strays
- Thomas Rhett
- Tucker Wetmore
- Zach Top
Who is hosting 'Academy of Country Music Awards' this year?
Country music icon Shania Twain will host the awards ceremony this year.
On her approach to hosting duties, she said: "My intention of being there is to celebrate all of the fabulous artists out there and to welcome the fans.
"I'm going to be there with my own personality. I don't plan on acting my way through it in any way. I'm not really great at being overscripted. I'm just too spontaneous."
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