KEYPOINTS SUMMARY – ACM 2025
- The ACM Awards 2025 will bring country music’s biggest stars together
- Expect major performances, big wins, and red carpet glam from legends and newcomers
- Surprise duets and crossover collabs already stirring up fan frenzy
- Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, and Cody Johnson are top award contenders
- Rumors swirl about a show-stopping finale no one will see coming
- Fans can expect tributes, breakout performances, and unforgettable fashion
- Can Morgan Wallen or Chris Stapleton take Entertainer of the Year?
- Will a new artist steal the spotlight from country’s biggest names?
Hold on to your cowboy hats, y’all — the ACM Awards 2025 are almost here, and this year’s show is already shaping up to be one of the most epic nights in country music history!
We’re talkin’ massive performances, unexpected pairings, jaw-dropping fashion, and a night that’s bound to rewrite the record books and ignite fan debates all over social media.
Whether you’re tuning in for the glitz, the glam, or the guitar solos — this year’s show is one you can’t miss.
The Big Names Are Ready to Battle It Out
The top contenders this year? Let’s just say it’s gonna be TIGHT.
- Ella Langley is coming in hot with multiple nominations and major buzz. Fans are hoping she’ll take home Female Artist of the Year and maybe even Song of the Year.
- Lainey Wilson is back and bigger than ever after a whirlwind year on tour. She’s earned nods in major categories, and fans are predicting a clean sweep.
- Cody Johnson is coming for the crown too, and don’t count out Morgan Wallen or Chris Stapleton, both of whom are nominated for Entertainer of the Year.
Let’s be real: any one of these artists could walk away with the biggest prize of the night — and Twitter will MELT DOWN no matter who wins.
What’s Got Fans Screaming Already? Surprise Collabs!
Country music fans love a good duet — but this year’s ACMs are cooking up something even bigger.
There’s talk of surprise collaborations that are going to set the stage on fire, including:
- A classic-meets-new-school duet featuring a 90s country icon and a current chart-topper
- A country-pop crossover moment that fans have been begging for
- A full-choir finale featuring some of the genre’s biggest voices
One thing’s for sure — when the lights hit that stage, anything can happen.
Tributes, Tearjerkers, and Total Showstoppers
The ACMs are known for their heartfelt tributes — and 2025 is no different.
Expect an emotional performance honoring a late country legend, with artists lining up to pay their respects through song. Grab the tissues, y’all.
And yes, there will be showstoppers. A-list stars are bringing new singles, tour debuts, and never-before-heard tracks to the stage. Expect pyro, sparkles, and cowboy boots with wings.
First-Time Nominees Stealing the Spotlight? YES PLEASE.
We LOVE a breakout star story — and 2025 has plenty of fresh faces ready to take the mic.
Look out for up-and-comers in the New Artist categories, some of whom have been lighting up TikTok and Spotify but have never been on a stage this big before.
Don’t be surprised if a newcomer walks away with more than one trophy. It’s their time — and fans are HERE for it.
Red Carpet: Who’s Slaying the Style Game?
Country stars don’t just bring the music — they bring the fashion, and the red carpet this year is set to deliver some of the boldest, sparkliest looks yet.
Expect:
- Rhinestones, fringe, and full glam
- Cowboy couture reimagined
- High boots, big hair, and red carpet drama galore
Fans are already buzzing about which couples will make their debut, who’s arriving solo, and what wild outfit Kelsea Ballerini will rock this year.
Fan Reactions: The Internet Can’t Wait
The ACM Awards 2025 haven’t even started yet, and social media is already in meltdown mode.
Top trending tags:
- #ACMAwards2025
- #CountryRoyalty
- #EllaForEOTY
- #SurpriseDuetPlease
- #BackstageBuzz
From fantasy ballots to viral outfit predictions, fans are counting down and sharing their dream performances — and you can bet they’ll be live-posting every second of the show.
ACM Awards 2025 Highlights Will Make History
This isn’t just another awards night. This is country music’s biggest night, and the ACM Awards 2025 highlights are already making waves before the first guitar is strummed.
We’ve got legends. We’ve got fresh blood. And we’ve got fierce fashion and fire performances.
ACM Awards 2025
And we’ve got fans who are ready to ride or die for their faves.
Get ready, Nashville. Get ready, America.
Because on ACM night — country reigns.
The 60th Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards are set to dazzle fans on May 8, 2025, streaming live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, via Prime Video. This milestone event celebrates six decades of country music excellence and promises an unforgettable night of performances, collaborations, and accolades.
Host
- Reba McEntire: The iconic country music legend returns to host the ACM Awards for the 18th time, bringing her signature charm and wit to the stage.
Performers
The 2025 ACM Awards boast a star-studded lineup of performers, including:
- Alan Jackson
- Blake Shelton
- Brooks & Dunn
- Chris Stapleton
- Clint Black
- Cody Johnson
- Dan + Shay
- Eric Church
- Jelly Roll
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Lainey Wilson
- LeAnn Rimes
- Megan Moroney
- Miranda Lambert
- Rascal Flatts
- Reba McEntire
- Shaboozey
- Sugarland
- Wynonna Judd
The show will open with a special “Songs of the Decades” performance, featuring a medley of ACM Songs of the Year from the past six decades. This 12-minute segment will include performances by Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, and Sugarland.
Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Jelly Roll
- Chris Stapleton
- Morgan Wallen
Album of the Year
- Am I Okay? — Megan Moroney
- Beautifully Broken — Jelly Roll
- Cold Beer & Country Music — Zach Top
- F-1 Trillion — Post Malone
- Whirlwind — Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” — Shaboozey
- “Dirt Cheap” — Cody Johnson
- “I Had Some Help” — Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
- “White Horse” — Chris Stapleton
- “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
Song of the Year
- “4x4xU” — Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
- “The Architect” — Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally
- “Dirt Cheap” — Josh Phillips
- “I Had Some Help” — Louis Bell, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Jonathan Hoskins, Post Malone, Ernest Keith Smith, Morgan Wallen, Chandler Paul Walters
- “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley, Riley Green, Aaron Raitiere
New Female Artist of the Year
- Kassi Ashton
- Ashley Cooke
- Dasha
- Ella Langley
- Jessie Murph
New Male Artist of the Year
- Gavin Adcock
- Shaboozey
- Zach Top
- Tucker Wetmore
- Bailey Zimmerman
Duo of the Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- The War and Treaty
Group of the Year
- Flatland Cavalry
- Little Big Town
- Old Dominion
- Rascal Flatts
- The Red Clay Strays
Music Event of the Year
- “Cowboys Cry Too” — Kelsea Ballerini featuring Noah Kahan
- “I Had Some Help” — Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
- “I’m Gonna Love You” — Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood
- “We Don’t Fight Anymore” — Carly Pearce featuring Chris Stapleton
- “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
Visual Media of the Year
- “4x4xU” — Lainey Wilson
- “Dirt Cheap” — Cody Johnson
- “I’m Gonna Love You” — Cody Johnson featuring Carrie Underwood
- “Think I’m in Love with You” — Chris Stapleton
- “You Look Like You Love Me” — Ella Langley featuring Riley Green
Songwriter of the Year
- Jessi Alexander
- Jessie Jo Dillon
- Ashley Gorley
- Chase McGill
- Josh Osborne
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
- Luke Combs
- ERNEST
- HARDY
- Morgan Wallen
- Lainey Wilson
How to Watch
- Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Time: 8:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM CDT / 5:00 PM PDT
- Streaming: Live on Prime Video
Get ready for a night of unforgettable performances, heartfelt tributes, and the celebration of country music’s finest at the 2025 ACM Awards!
