The 2025 ACM Awards are set to take place on May 8, 2025, with Reba McEntire returning as host for the 18th time. This year, the show will be available for a global audience via Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch, expanding from two to two-and-a-half hours of live entertainment beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
The event will kick off with a special 12-minute music medley featuring ACM Award-winning song of the year winners spanning six decades. Performers include Clint Black, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, McEntire, Sugarland, and Wynonna Judd, with iconic songs likely to be featured such as “Tequila,” “Why Not Me,” “Blue,” and “Stay.”
Additionally, the awards will showcase exciting collaborations, with Jelly Roll & Shaboozey, Backstreet Boys & Rascal Flatts, and Brooks & Dunn featuring Cody Johnson taking the stage. Notably, Keith Urban will finally receive the ACM Triple Crown Award that he earned back in 2019, with a special segment featuring tributes from Chris Stapleton, Megan Moroney, and Brothers Osborne.
Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson will join McEntire to perform their newly co-written single “Trailblazer.” Other performers announced include Ella Langley and Zach Top, who have been recognized as the new female and male artist of the year. The show will also feature a range of presenters from the country music scene and beyond, including music icon Lionel Richie, actress Rita Wilson, and NASCAR’s Chase Elliott.
Executive producers guiding the event include Raj Kapoor and Patrick Menton, alongside Damon Whiteside for the Academy of Country Music, promising a well-coordinated and vibrant celebration of country music.
The ACM Awards, established in 1966, hold the title of the longest-running country music awards show. They made a significant mark in 2022 by being the first major awards show to exclusively livestream, a trend that continues this year with Carnival Cruise Line serving as the presenting sponsor.
This year’s show not only highlights the achievements of country music artists but also promises a night filled with nostalgia and star-studded performances, reflecting the vibrant history and future of country music. Its expansion signals a continuing growth of viewership and interest in the genre, showcasing the dynamic evolution of country music through its greatest talents.