Our 2026 ACM Artist of the Year Predictions for Male and Female

The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards are tomorrow, and the biggest question on every country fan's mind is not who is going to perform the best or wear the wildest outfit. It is who is walking home with the two awards that matter most. Here is how we see the races shaping up for Male and Female Artist of the Year.

Female Artist of the Year: Ella's Year to Take

Women thoroughly dominate the nominations for the 2026 ACM Awards, with the four most-nominated artists all being female. Megan Moroney leads with nine nods, Miranda Lambert follows with eight, and Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson each earned seven. That is a lot of firepower in this category, but when you zoom in on the Female Artist race, it shapes up as a three-person fight.

Lainey Wilson is the defending champion. Actually, she is the two-time defending champion, and a third consecutive win would make her the first woman ever to win Female Artist of the Year three years in a row. That kind of history does not go unnoticed by voters. Lainey has been one of country music's most dominant forces for three straight years, and she is not walking into this show as a long shot by any measure.

Megan Moroney has made a case that is hard to ignore. The breakout star earned nods in some of the night's biggest categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, making her the most-nominated artist overall. She has had a massive year, she connects deeply with fans, and nine nominations do not come to artists who have not earned them.

But then there is Ella Langley, and the argument for her is simply overwhelming. Earlier this year, "Choosin' Texas" made history when it hit number one on Billboard's Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts simultaneously. Langley is the first woman ever to achieve that feat. The song spent nine non-consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100, the longest reign by a female country artist ever. Her sophomore album Dandelion debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. She recently received Billboard's Powerhouse Award at their Women in Music event, presented by Lainey Wilson herself. Among music industry insiders and radio personalities, there is a clear consensus pointing to Langley as the pick.

Our prediction: Ella Langley takes it. The numbers simply do not lie.

Male Artist of the Year: Cody Johnson's Moment Has Arrived

The male field is a strong one. Nominees for Male Artist of the Year include Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Zach Top. With Morgan Wallen notably absent from this category, the field is wide open, and we see it as a three-man race.

Luke Combs has been nominated for Male Artist of the Year seven consecutive years without a win. If Combs finally wins, he would complete what the ACM calls the Triple Crown, having previously won both New Male Artist of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. That narrative is compelling, and voters love a redemption story.

Zach Top has turned into one of the most exciting rising names in traditional country. After winning New Male Artist last awards season, Top now finds himself nominated for Male Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for "I Never Lie," and Album of the Year for Ain't in It for My Health, with five total nominations showing his continued momentum. He belongs in this conversation.

But Cody Johnson is on a different level right now. In late 2025, the "Dirt Cheap" singer shocked the country music world by taking home his first-ever CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award, snapping Chris Stapleton's four-year winning streak. He broke records at RODEOHOUSTON, becoming only the second performer after George Strait to play a concert-only event there, selling out NRG Stadium with 80,203 tickets. He has spent years building one of the most loyal fanbases in the genre the hard way, show by show, song by song, without shortcuts.

Johnson has yet to win one of the coveted artist categories at the ACMs, making a win here long overdue. The fans know it. The industry knows it. Sunday night may finally be the night the cowboys come calling for CoJo.

Our prediction: Cody Johnson finally gets his.

The 61st ACM Awards stream live on Prime Video on May 17. Buckle up.