The nominations for the 2026 CMA Awards have been revealed.
The Country Music Association announced its nominees for the 60th annual ceremony on Thursday, September 10, with Ella Langley leading the list at nine, including the coveted category of Entertainer of the Year. Miranda Lambert follows with seven nominations, while Kacey Musgraves and Ben West snagged five apiece.
The CMA Awards will be held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 18, with country superstar Lainey Wilson returning to host for the third consecutive year.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be hosting the CMA Awards again this year, especially with it being the 60th anniversary,” Wilson, who received three nominations on Thursday, said in a statement on Sunday, September 6. “I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years, and this one’s going to be extra special. Can’t wait to see y’all in November!”
Wilson, 34, not only emceed last year’s awards show, but she also took home the award for Entertainer of the Year.
The 2026 CMA Awards air on ABC and stream live on Disney+ on Wednesday, November 18, at 8 p.m. ET.
See the complete list of nominees below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Ella Langley
Chris Stapleton
Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
“Be Her” – Ella Langley (Producers: Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley and Ben West; Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss)
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (Producers: Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley and Ben West; Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss)
“I Knew It, I Knew You” – Taylor Swift (Producers: Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift; Mix Engineer: Laura Sisk)
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson (Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall and Jay Joyce)
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson (Producer: Trent Willmon; Mix Engineer: Jack Clarke)
Album of the Year
Ain’t In It for My Health – Zach Top (Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey)
Dandelion – Ella Langley (Producers: Devin Dawson, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert and Ben West; Mix Engineer: Dave Clauss)
Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves (Producers: Ian Fitchuk, Luke Laird, Kacey Musgraves and Daniel Tashian; Mix Engineers: Serban Ghenea and Konrad Snyder)
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum (Producers: Frank Liddell and Eric Masse; Mix Engineer: Eric Masse)
The Way I Am – Luke Combs (Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews and Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews)
Song of the Year
“Be Her” (Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley and Jordan Schmidt)
“Beautiful Things” (Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington and Megan Moroney)
“Choosin’ Texas” (Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert and Joybeth Taylor)
“Dry Spell” (Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves and Josh Osborne)
“Gary” (Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.)
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.
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 with Chris Stapleton (Producer: Dave Cobb)
“Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves feat. Miranda Lambert (Producers: Kacey Musgraves and Daniel Tashian)
“I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen (Producers: Austin Goodloe, Ella Langley and Ben West)
“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce and Riley Green (Producers: Carly Pearce and Ben West)
“McArthur” – Hardy, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw (Producer: Jay Joyce)
Musician of the Year
Tom Bukovac – Guitar
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Charlie Worsham – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley (Directors: Ella Langley, Caylee Robillard and Wales Toney)
“Dry Spell” – Kacey Musgraves (Directors: Hannah Lux Davis and Kacey Musgraves)
“Gary” – Stephen Wilson Jr. (Directors: Tim Cofield and Stephen Wilson Jr.)
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson (Director: Dustin Haney)
“White Horse” – Chris Stapleton (Director: Running Bear)
New Artist of the Year
Avery Anna
Carter Faith
Emily Ann Roberts
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
