The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards is assembling a powerhouse lineup of presenters, and the talent pool stretches far beyond Music City. Ashley McBryde, Shaboozey, and Keith Urban have been tapped to hand out awards this Sunday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas—a trio that collectively represents both the established guard and the rising tide of country music.
These three aren’t just faces showing up for the night. McBryde brings three ACM Awards to her name, while Urban—a veritable awards cabinet himself—has collected 14 ACM trophies and claimed the 2025 ACM Triple Crown Award. Shaboozey, meanwhile, is competing for his own hardware tonight, vying for Music Event of the Year alongside Jelly Roll for their Grammy-winning collaboration, Amen. It’s the kind of presenter lineup that reminds you these artists have earned their seat at the table.
But the presenter roster tells an even bigger story about the 2026 ACMs: they’re pulling from everywhere. Joining the three country stars are names like Super Bowl champion Andrew Whitworth, NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards, and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. Then there’s TJ Osborne from Brothers Osborne, who’s racked up seven ACM Awards as part of the duo. It’s a deliberate mix that signals the awards show isn’t staying in its lane—it’s reaching across sports, entertainment, and pop culture to celebrate country’s expanding reach.
The night itself is built for spectacle. An already stacked performance lineup—featuring Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Kane Brown, and nearly two dozen others—promises a full evening of music. And if you’ve been paying attention to the nominations, you already know women are dominating: Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson each landed more nods than any male artist this year. The 2026 ACMs aren’t just about handing out awards—they’re about acknowledging who’s driving country music forward right now.
The show airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET this Sunday, May 17, from Las Vegas. Whether you’re tuned in for the performances, the surprises, or just to see who takes home the big prizes, the stage is set for a night that’ll have plenty to talk about.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
