2026 Country Music Association Awards Nominations Announced
The full slate of contenders for the 60th Annual CMA Awards has been officially unveiled, setting the stage for country music's biggest night in Nashville.
Nominations for the 60th Annual CMA Awards have officially been revealed, highlighting a competitive field of country music artists, songwriters, and musicians. The ceremony will take place live on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will be broadcast on ABC. Reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson is set to serve as host for the milestone 60th annual broadcast.
Voting for the final round of the CMA Awards will run from Oct. 1 through Oct. 27, giving voting members less than a month to decide the winners across all primary categories.
Key Nomination Highlights
★ Ella Langley's Double Nods
Ella Langley emerges as a major presence this year, earning nominations across multiple high-profile categories. Notably, Langley landed two separate spots in the single category for her hits "Choosin' Texas" and "Be Her." She is also competing for Entertainer of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year (Dandelion), Musical Event of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.
★ Taylor Swift Returns to CMA Ballot
The 2026 roster marks Taylor Swift's first CMA nomination in several years. Swift secured a nod in the Single of the Year category for her track "I Knew It, I Knew You."
★ Entertainer of the Year Stays Stacked
The night's top honor sees continuous heavyweights returning alongside fresh contender power. Nominees include Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and host Lainey Wilson, who won the category in 2025.
Complete Category Breakdown
Entertainer of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Ella Langley
- Chris Stapleton
- Lainey Wilson
Female Vocalist of the Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Single of the Year
- "Be Her" — Ella Langley
- "Choosin' Texas" — Ella Langley
- "I Knew It, I Knew You" — Taylor Swift
- "Somewhere Over Laredo" — Lainey Wilson
- "The Fall" — Cody Johnson
Song of the Year
- "Be Her" — Ella Langley
- "Beautiful Things" — Megan Moroney
- "Choosin' Texas" — Ella Langley
- "Dry Spell" — Kacey Musgraves
- "Gary" — Stephen Wilson Jr.
Album of the Year
- Ain't In It for My Health — Zach Top
- Dandelion — Ella Langley
- Middle of Nowhere — Kacey Musgraves
- Parker McCollum — Parker McCollum
- The Way I Am — Luke Combs
New Artist of the Year
- Avery Anna
- Carter Faith
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Vocal Group of the Year
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma & James
Musical Event of the Year
- "A Song To Sing" — Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton
- "Horses and Divorces" — Kacey Musgraves and Miranda Lambert
- "I Can't Love You Anymore" — Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen
- "If I Don't Leave I'm Gonna Stay" — Carly Pearce and Riley Green
- "McArthur" — Hardy, Eric Church and Tim McGraw
Music Video of the Year
- "Choosin' Texas" — Ella Langley
- "Dry Spell" — Kacey Musgraves
- "Gary" — Stephen Wilson Jr.
- "The Fall" — Cody Johnson
- "White Horse" — Chris Stapleton
Musician of the Year
- Tom Bukovac
- Jenee Fleenor
- Paul Franklin
- Rob McNelley
- Charlie Worsham
