ACM Awards Set Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson and Riley Green as Performers

The initial roster of artists set to take the stage at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards has been revealed, showcasing some of the genre's most prominent voices. Headlining the announcement is Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, who will debut her new single "Can't Sit Still" live; the track is included in her soon-to-be-released Netflix documentary. She will be accompanied by Cody Johnson, the 2023 ACM Song of the Year winner for "'Til You Can't," who is slated to perform a song to be announced later. Rounding out the first wave is Riley Green, who will deliver his popular anthem "Change My Mind." In a move that underscores the event's charitable dimension, Green has also been named the headline performer for the 2026 ACM Lifting Lives Country on the Green benefit at Topgolf Las Vegas on May 15. This pairing of a major awards show performance with a philanthropic commitment is a hallmark of the Academy's approach, often leveraging its platform to support community initiatives.

Marking a return to its traditional home, this year's ceremony is moving its production base from Texas back to Las Vegas. The broadcast will air live and exclusively on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. A staple of the Las Vegas Strip since 1993, the MGM Grand has hosted countless high-profile events, from championship boxing to previous ACM Awards, providing a reliably grand setting. While a host, the full list of nominees, and additional presenters have yet to be revealed, the confirmation of the production leadership signals that planning for the May 17 event is proceeding at full speed.

Overseeing the production will be Patrick Menton, recently elevated to executive producer after ascending through various production roles with the ACMs since 2018. He will collaborate with veteran showrunner Raj Kapoor. The executive production team represents a partnership between Dick Clark Productions (DCP) and the Academy, including Damon Whiteside (representing the Academy), DCP's Jay Penske and Barry Adelman, and Amazon MGM Studios' consulting producer John Saade. Industry analysts note that this experienced group is tasked with navigating the unique challenges of a live-streamed awards show, which demands seamless integration of live performance, broadcast technology, and global digital distribution—a balance that has tripped up other ceremonies in recent years.

The May broadcast will also serve as a final major undertaking for ACM CEO Damon Whiteside, who announced on March 3 his plan to step down in June. Whiteside has pledged to see the awards through to completion, ensuring stability. His leadership tenure, which began in 2020, is widely credited with modernizing the Academy's outreach, notably through a strategic pivot to streaming partnerships and a bolstered digital footprint. Consequently, the evening will not only celebrate the year's best in country music but also cap a significant chapter in the organization's history, setting the stage for its next era under new leadership.