The Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards, a significant event in the country music calendar, will relocate to Las Vegas in 2026. This move follows a three-year run at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, the practice facility for the Dallas Cowboys.
The 61st annual awards ceremony is scheduled to stream live on May 17, 2026, from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The reasons behind the departure from North Texas remain unclear.
Key Takeaways
- The ACM Awards are moving from Frisco, Texas, to Las Vegas in 2026.
- The event was held at the Ford Center at The Star for three consecutive years.
- The 61st ceremony will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
- The change in venue marks a return to Las Vegas, a previous host city.
Frisco's Three-Year Run Concludes
Frisco hosted the ACM Awards for three consecutive years, transforming the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility into a major production venue. The city embraced the event, which brought country music's biggest stars and rising talents to North Texas.
Damon Whiteside, the ACM's chief executive, had previously expressed satisfaction with The Star District. He highlighted several advantages, including the football field's capacity for a larger stage setup, the availability of newer hotels, and the convenient proximity to both Dallas Love Field and DFW International Airport.
Award Show History
- The ACM Awards first came to North Texas in 2015 for their 50th-anniversary show.
- That event was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
- The awards then returned to Las Vegas before making their inaugural Frisco appearance in 2023.
Return to Las Vegas
The decision to move the awards back to Las Vegas signifies a return to a city that has hosted the event multiple times in the past. Las Vegas is known for its entertainment infrastructure and capacity to handle large-scale events, which may have played a role in the ACM's decision.
The upcoming 61st Academy of Country Music Awards will be broadcast live. Viewers can watch the ceremony on Prime Video and Twitch, ensuring broad accessibility for country music fans globally.
"They had a long run there, with three great years," stated Marla Roe, the executive director for Visit Frisco, regarding the awards' time in North Texas.
Impact on Frisco and Local Economy
Hosting the ACM Awards brought significant attention and economic activity to Frisco. The event attracted thousands of visitors, including artists, industry professionals, and fans, who utilized local hotels, restaurants, and other services.
The Ford Center at The Star provided a unique backdrop, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities. While the departure is notable, Frisco has demonstrated its capability to host major national events.
The Star District
The Star District in Frisco is a 91-acre campus that serves as the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. It features the Ford Center, a 12,000-seat indoor stadium, along with retail, dining, and hotel facilities. This integrated environment was a key factor in attracting the ACM Awards to Frisco.
Looking Ahead to the 61st Awards
The 60th-anniversary celebration of the ACM Awards recently took place in Frisco, marking a significant milestone for the organization. This event showcased the enduring appeal and evolving face of country music, featuring performances from established stars and emerging artists.
The move to Las Vegas for the 61st ceremony suggests a new chapter for the awards, which have historically rotated between different major cities, including a memorable 50th-anniversary show in Arlington, Texas, at AT&T Stadium.
Fans can anticipate an engaging show from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, a venue accustomed to hosting high-profile entertainment events. The Academy of Country Music continues to adapt its presentation to reach a wide audience, utilizing modern streaming platforms like Prime Video and Twitch.
- The 61st ACM Awards will air live on May 17, 2026.
- Prime Video and Twitch will carry the live broadcast.
- The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas will be the host venue.
The ACM Awards have consistently been dubbed "the genre's biggest party," and their relocation to Las Vegas aims to continue this tradition. The specific reasons for the move away from Frisco were not immediately available from an ACM spokesperson.