My Picks And Predictions For The 2026 ACM Awards

The ACM Awards are just a few days away and I can't wait! Shania Twain is hosting the show, which will be really cool, and there were some massive songs from this year in country music.

It also feels like the tides have turned in country music, with newer artists truly taking over and some very stiff competition in just about every category.

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The ACM Awards are always a little bit more unpredictable than other award shows. They always throw in a few wildcard nominations and even winners. There were some shocks this year when the nominees were announced!

Now, with the show just a few days away, I feel it is a good time to make my predictions for who I think will take home some hardware. I will also throw in my personal pick in the category just for fun.

My Picks & Predictions For The 2026 ACM Awards

Make sure you have a list of the nominations handy! That way you can see every single category and who everyone is competing against. It really was a monumental year for country music.

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Of course, some winners have already been announced so I will not be sharing my thoughts on those categories. I also opted out of some categories, like the Duo and Group categories, since I don't have any big thoughts on those.

Artist-Songwriter Of The Year

This is one of the most stacked categories of the night and an argument could be made for all of these artists. This is a really weird category since most country artists write their own songs.

My pick: Megan Moroney because she doesn't get the love she deserves for her songwriting, which is her strong suit for sure. (Luke would be my other pick because he's my favorite but he took a lot of time off.)

Will win: Ella Langley or Riley Green. Both are having massive years but it's hard to bet against Ella at this point since she is the biggest star in the format right now.

Music Event Of The Year

Most of the songs in this category didn't really make any waves, aside from a few. That makes this one pretty easy, although it's never smart to bet against Miranda and Chris, especially on a song together. I will probably stand corrected!

My pick: Don't Mind If I Do is by far my favorite in the category and a huge radio hit. However, both have had more popular songs since its release.

Will win: Amen by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll won the Grammy and probably won't win in any other categories so this could be a nice way to reward them both.

Single & Song Of The Year

Some people get these two categories confused. However, this year it doesn't really matter. Every song pales in comparison to the success of the juggernaut that is Choosin' Texas. It's been a long time since a song has been THIS massive and crossed over in this way. It's broken basically every record possible and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.

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Ella is also riding a massive wave, having a generational run we really haven't seen in years for a female country artist. She is the moment and despite some other huge songs in these categories, it would be very strange for anything else to win here. (Miranda Lambert also has a hand in the song and she has more ACMs than any other artist in history.)

My pick / will win: Choosin' Texas

Album Of The Year

It's hard to argue against Morgan, who put out yet another monster album. However, people seem to like his previous album better. Riley's album is critically-acclaimed but it feels like he should have been nominated for the original edition. Carter Faith's album put her on the map but the nomination seems like the big victory here. It is incredible, though!

My pick: Carter Faith, Cherry Valley or Riley Green, Don't Mind If I Do (Deluxe)

Will win: Zach Top, Ain't In It For My Health. He did win the Grammy, after all.

Male & Female Artist Of The Year 

As for the Male category, where in the world is Morgan Wallen? It's hard to bet against Chris Stapleton and despite Luke being my favorite, I do think Riley Green has had the biggest year. It just feels like his moment, especially with his new role on The Voice and in Marshalls. 

My pick: Riley Green (Luke Combs is always my number one but took a lot of time off this year!)

Will win: Cody Johnson

As for the Female artist category, there is no way it isn't going to Ella. Lainey and Miranda are usually sweepers here but come on. It is Ella's world at the moment and we are all just living in it!

My pick / will win: Ella Langley

Entertainer Of The Year

The ACMs don't always get this category right. Where is Ella Langley? She is having the biggest year out of everyone and it's really not even close. It does seem like this could be anyone's game this year but I think it comes down to Morgan, who is on another massive stadium tour, and Lainey, who is an awards-show favorite.

My pick: Luke Combs, though he's had more dominant years. Somehow, he's never won here and that needs to be fixed immediately.

Will win: Lainey Wilson because she's been hustling this year or Morgan Wallen, although award shows seem hesitant to give him awards.

Am I feeling confident about any of these picks? Absolutely not and of course, music is subjective and this is all for fun. We'll see how I do come Sunday night (May 17th!)

What are your picks and predictions? Let me know!