Cody Johnson takes Entertainer of the Year at ACM Awards on his third nomination attempt
The 61st ACM Awards were hosted by Shania Twain and streamed live on Prime Video from Las Vegas on 17 May
Cody Johnson claimed the most coveted prize of the evening at the 2026 ACM Awards on Sunday, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, taking home Entertainer of the Year on his third nomination and first win for the title.
An emotional and unexpected dedication
In his acceptance speech, the 38-year-old country star delivered an emotional tribute to fellow nominee Luke Combs — a dedication, he acknowledged, that the crowd "probably didn't expect."
"There's a man that was up for this award that I personally watched devote his life to country music," Johnson said. "I was there the night in Australia when his wife gave birth to one of their sons. And I watched the anguish, I watched the defeat on his face, because he was across the world playing music in a sold-out arena.
"The next night, right after, I watched him get on stage and absolutely murder the stage, and go on stage and play country music and preach the message of country music to a bunch of Australians across the world."
He concluded: "So, tonight I want to dedicate my first Entertainer of the Year award to my buddy, Luke Combs. I love you, brother."
The backstory behind the tribute
Johnson served as a supporting act for Combs on his 2023 world tour. Combs, who has three sons with his wife Nicole, missed the birth of his second son Beau that August whilst performing in Australia. The couple are also parents to Tex, 3½, and Chet, born in February.
A strong night for Johnson
Johnson also won Male Artist of the Year earlier in the evening. He was up against Combs, Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Jelly Roll, and Morgan Wallen for the Entertainer of the Year prize.
Music and what's next
Johnson released his most recent album Leather in 2023 and is set to release his 10th studio album, Banks of the Trinity, on 26 June. His single The Fall, released last year, peaked at No. 4 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart and No. 7 on Billboard's Hot Country chart. In January, he featured on a remix of Brandon Lake's hit When a Cowboy Prays.
About the ceremony
The 61st Academy of Country Music Awards was hosted by Shania Twain, who described Las Vegas as "a place that feels like home." Performers on the night included Miranda Lambert, Johnson, Wilson, Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, and Riley Green.
Musgraves performed a new track from her forthcoming album Middle of Nowhere, Wilson debuted Can't Sit Still, and Green performed Change My Mind. The ceremony was broadcast live on Prime Video.
