Shania Twain takes hosting duties at 2026 ACM Awards in Las Vegas debut

Shania Twain is set to take on a new milestone in her legendary career, officially announced as the host of the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, marking her first time leading the annual ceremony.

The five-time Grammy winner shared her excitement in a statement, saying she is “thrilled” to host the event in Las Vegas, a city she described as feeling like home.

Twain also highlighted the significance of the night, noting the strong presence of female nominees among country music’s biggest stars.

“It’s such an honor to be part of this incredible night celebrating Country Music’s biggest stars,” she said, adding that she is looking forward to welcoming both fans and artists for what she called an unforgettable evening.

The singer also took to social media with a lighter tone, joking about the upcoming role. “First time hosting the acmawards!! Now what will I wear? [emoji]” she wrote, expressing excitement for the event while playfully referencing her fashion choices.

Twain’s appointment places her in the lineage of major country music icons who have hosted the ceremony in the past, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Reba McEntire.

ACM CEO Damon Whiteside praised her as a “perfect icon” for the role, citing her long-standing history with the awards show.

Twain has a decorated ACM history herself, with five wins to her name, including Entertainer of the Year in 2000 and the Poet’s Award in 2022.

Her influence on country music spans decades, with landmark albums such as The Woman in Me and Come On Over helping define the genre’s global reach.

The 2026 ACM Awards are scheduled to take place on May 17 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, airing live at 8 p.m. ET. The show will stream on Prime Video as well as Amazon Music platforms.

This year’s nominations are led by Megan Moroney, followed closely by Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson, with additional top contenders including Chris Stapleton and Cody Johnson.

Performers for the night are expected to include several of country music’s biggest names, setting the stage for a high-profile celebration of the genre.