The 2026 ACM Nominations Tell a Bigger Story — And It’s All About the Women

Women are leading the way at the 2026 ACM Awards.

This year’s nominations tell a clear story, with some of the biggest names in country music — and some of its fastest-rising stars — dominating across major categories.

From Megan Moroney to Miranda Lambert, it’s a year where female artists aren’t just part of the conversation — they’re driving it.

A Big Year for Country’s Leading Women

Moroney leads all nominees with nine nominations, marking a major milestone in her career.

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Close behind her is Lambert with eight, while Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each earned seven nominations.

Together, the four artists represent the top tier of this year’s nominees — a strong showing that highlights the impact women are having across the genre right now.

New Stars + Established Names

For Moroney and Langley, the nominations reflect a rapid rise.

Moroney scored her first Entertainer of the Year nomination, along with nods in major categories like Song and Single of the Year. Langley, the reigning ACM New Female Artist of the Year, also earned multiple firsts, including recognition as a producer.

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At the same time, artists like Lambert and Wilson continue to build on already historic careers.

Lambert, the most-decorated artist in ACM history, picked up her strongest nomination total in years, while Wilson added to her streak with multiple repeat nominations in top categories.

A Shift That’s Hard to Ignore

Beyond the individual milestones, the bigger picture stands out.

Female artists are leading in total nominations — and not just in one category, but across the board, from Entertainer of the Year to Song and Visual Media.

It’s a sign of where country music is right now, with a mix of new voices and established stars shaping the sound — and the spotlight.

The Show Ahead

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will stream live on May 17 from Las Vegas on Prime Video.

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The show is expected to feature performances from some of the genre’s biggest names, including several of this year’s top nominees.

And if the nominations are any indication, it could be a night defined by the women leading the charge.