ACM Awards 2026: Biggest Snubs & Surprises of the Night

Sunday evening, May 17, marked a momentous occasion in the world of country music as Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas" took home both single and song of the year awards at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards. The win was met with surprise as other talented artists also won numerous categories.

The Red Clay Strays, Brooks & Dunn, and Cody Johnson were among those who received accolades, including group of the year, duo of the year, and male artist of the year. Notably, Lainey Wilson's fourth consecutive win for female artist of the year was a notable snub, as many expected her to continue her winning streak.

The awards show, which was hosted by Shania Twain, streamed live via Prime Video for the fifth consecutive year, had its fair share of surprises and snubs. Cody Johnson's win for male artist of the year and entertainer of the year was particularly unexpected, but not entirely surprising given his consistent success in recent years.

In terms of core insights, it's clear that winning multiple awards at the ACM Awards can be a significant achievement in country music. However, as seen with Langley's wins, it also means having to navigate through competition and potentially snubs.

The ceremony was attended by a packed audience, including many industry professionals and fans, who were eagerly waiting to see what would happen on the night. In the end, "Don't Mind If I Do" by Riley Green and Ella Langley took home the award for music event of the year, marking their second consecutive win in this category.

For those interested in country music, the ACM Awards are a highly anticipated event that provides a glimpse into the industry's top talent. As with any awards show, there will be winners and losers, but it's essential to look beyond the surface-level results and analyze what they tell us about the genre as a whole.