The academy hosted the annual awards show in Frisco for three years. It will return to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2026, according to a Dec. 1 news release.
The details
The announcement comes after the 2025 60th anniversary show, in which the broadcast reached audiences in over 240 countries and territories, according to the release.
For the past three years, the awards have been hosted in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. The 2025 show was May 8.
The 2026 show will be held May 17, with additional details to be announced in the coming months, according to the release.
Zooming out
The ACM contributed an economic boost to Frisco. For example, the May 11, 2023, ACM show was a main contributor to a record-breaking boost for the city, according to 2023 data compiled by Visit Frisco, the city’s official destination marketing organization.
The boost contributed to direct spending in Frisco along with the secondary effect of people staying in the area for the show, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
What they're saying
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to return to MGM Grand for the 61st ACM Awards next May, a place that holds a lot of history and special memories for the Academy. It truly feels like a homecoming for us,” said Damon Whiteside, CEO of Academy of Country Music, in a news release. “There’s no better place to host an exciting, global Country Music celebration than fabulous Las Vegas!"
“2026 is going to be a very special year for the ACMs, and partnering with MGM Resorts strengthens our deep commitment to delivering world-class entertainment and experiences for Country Music fans and partners alike,” said Jay Penske, CEO of Dick Clark Productions, in a news release.
