Shania Twain named first time host of ACM Awards 2026 in Las Vegas

The ACM Awards will take place in Las Vegas with Shania Twain confirmed as host for the first time

Shania Twain has been officially announced as the host of the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, marking the first time the global country pop star will take on hosting duties for the ceremony. The event is scheduled to take place on May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, returning the awards show to its long established home city.

The announcement was made by the Academy of Country Music alongside Dick Clark Productions, confirming Twain’s role in what is expected to be one of the most high profile nights in the country music calendar. The ceremony will be broadcast live across multiple platforms, including Prime Video, the Amazon Music app and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel, allowing global audiences to tune in simultaneously across time zones.

Twain, one of the best known crossover artists in country music history, expressed excitement about hosting the event in Las Vegas, describing the city as a place that feels like home. She highlighted the significance of the night, particularly given the strong presence of female artists among this year’s nominees.

The nomination list is led by Megan Moroney with nine nods, followed by Miranda Lambert with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each receiving seven. Chris Stapleton, Zach Top, Riley Green and Cody Johnson are also among the most nominated artists this year, reflecting a competitive field across traditional and contemporary country categories.

The ACM Awards have a history of featuring major names as hosts, with previous ceremonies led by artists including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and Reba McEntire. Twain’s appointment continues that tradition, reinforcing the show’s focus on established figures within the genre who have also achieved global recognition.

Performance line ups announced so far include Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves, Cody Johnson, Riley Green and Little Big Town, suggesting a strong emphasis on both award presentations and live music segments throughout the evening.

Twain’s connection to the ACM Awards spans several decades. She was named Entertainer of the Year in 2000 and later received the ACM Poet’s Award in 2023 in recognition of her songwriting career and long term impact on country music.

This year’s ceremony also marks a return to Las Vegas after a previous edition held in Frisco, Texas. The move back to the MGM Grand Garden Arena signals a continuation of the event’s traditional association with the city, which has hosted many of its most memorable editions.