2026 ACM Awards Announce Shania Twain as Host

Shania Twain is no stranger to Las Vegas: Over the past 14 years, the country music star has staged three distinct residencies on the Strip. Next month, Twain will return to Vegas to host the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

The “Man! I Feel Like a a Woman!” singer will make her ACM Awards hosting debut on May 17 when the ceremonies get underway from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the southern end of Las Vegas Boulevard. The show airs live on Prime Video beginning at 8 p.m./ET.

“I’m thrilled to be hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a place that feels like home,” Twain said in a statement. “It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars, especially with so many talented women leading nominations this year. I can’t wait to welcome all of the fans and artists out for this unforgettable night.”

To Twain’s point, women dominated when nominations were announced earlier this month. Megan Moroney (9), Miranda Lambert (8), Ella Langley (7), and Lainey Wilson (7) scored the most nominations, while the closest male nominee is Chris Stapleton, who landed six. (But while women made a mark in this year’s categories, that doesn’t necessarily translate to increased country radio airplay, as a special episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast breaking down the nominations points out.)

This marks Twain’s first time as host of the ACMs, but she’s not a novice when it comes to leading a country music awards show. In 2024, she hosted the People’s Choice Country Awards from Nashville.

The 61st ACM Awards are slated to feature performances by Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, and more.

The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Corp., the parent company of Rolling Stone.