ACM Awards host Shania Twain at MGM Grand

Shania Twain hosted the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 17, returning the show to Nevada after a three-year run in Frisco, Texas. The Academy of Country Music said the ceremony streamed live on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch beginning at 8 p.m. ET. People and other entertainment outlets published red-carpet coverage ahead of the broadcast, showing country artists arriving at the arena. The academy had announced Twain as host in advance, making 2026 her first time leading the show. ### When and where did the 2026 ACM Awards take place? May 17 was the date set by the Academy of Country Music for the 61st annual awards, according to the academy's event page. MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas was listed as the venue, and MGM Grand's event page carried the same date and location. Las Vegas marked a venue change for the show. ABC, citing the academy's plans before the ceremony, reported that the awards were leaving Ford Center at The Star in Frisco after three years and moving back to the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The academy's event page described the return to Las Vegas in similar terms. ### What was Shania Twain's role in the show? Shania Twain was the host of the 2026 ceremony, the Academy of Country Music said on its official event page. Deadline reported in April that Twain had been tapped to host the show for the first time, and ABC later described the move as her first turn taking over from recent host Reba McEntire. Us Weekly reported on May 17 that Twain told reporters the assignment was the "biggest gig of my life." The outlet also said Twain framed her opening around country music "sheroes," underscoring the emphasis on women in the 2026 field. ### How could viewers watch the ceremony? Prime Video carried the live broadcast globally on May 17, according to the Academy of Country Music. The academy also said the show simulcast on the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. Amazon's streaming arrangement has become a defining part of the event's recent format. The academy said the 2026 show would continue its run as a major awards program livestreamed exclusively rather than airing on a traditional broadcast network. ### Who was on the red carpet before the broadcast? People published a red-carpet arrivals gallery on May 17 that identified Twain as host and showed artists arriving before the ceremony. E! said Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson and Kacey Musgraves were among the stars on the carpet, while Deadline's photo coverage listed Musgraves, Kane Brown, Shaboozey, Riley Green, Shania Twain and Kelsea Ballerini among those photographed. iHeartCountry's recap also named Twain, Lainey Wilson, Devlin "Duck" Hodges, Parker McCollum, Hallie Ray Light McCollum and Musgraves among attendees. Those pre-show appearances came before the live telecast from the arena. ### Which performers had been announced before showtime? MGM Grand said before the ceremony that Cody Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Lainey Wilson, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert and Riley Green were set to perform. People's red-carpet item also said Kane Brown and Blake Shelton were among the acts slated to take the stage. ABC reported before the show that women led the nominations, with artists including Langley, Wilson, Musgraves and Lambert in the mix. Fox News' live coverage later reported that Langley was among the night's prominent winners. ### What happens next after the May 17 show? May 17 was the live date for the 61st ACM Awards, and the academy's official page said the ceremony streamed on Prime Video and Twitch from Las Vegas. Post-show winner lists, performance clips and red-carpet galleries were being published by outlets including ACM, People and other entertainment publications after the broadcast.