The American Music Awards may be known for celebrating every corner of music, but country and Americana fans have plenty to be excited about this year.
On Tuesday (April 14), CBS and Dick Clark Productions officially unveiled the nominations for the 2026 AMAs, and Nashville’s biggest names — along with a new generation of rising stars — showed up in a major way.
Set to air live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, this year’s show will be hosted by Queen Latifah and promises a cross-genre celebration packed with unforgettable performances, fan-favorite moments, and likely more than a few viral reactions online.
Leading the country charge is Morgan Wallen, who pulled in an impressive seven nominations this year, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for I’m The Problem, Song of the Year, Collaboration of the Year alongside Tate McRae for “What I Want,” plus multiple country-specific nods. Whether fans love him for the arena anthems or the heartbreak hits, Wallen’s dominance at the AMAs proves his crossover era is still going full speed ahead.
Not far behind is country breakout queen Ella Langley, whose massive year earned her five nominations, including New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas,” Song of the Summer, Best Female Country Artist, and Best Country Song. Between her sharp storytelling and undeniable star power, Langley’s AMA breakthrough feels like a “told you so” moment for longtime fans.
The women of country are especially thriving this year, with Megan Moroney, Lainey Wilson, Kelsea Ballerini, and Miranda Lambert all competing for Best Female Country Artist. Moroney also snagged nominations for Breakout Tour and Best Country Album for Cloud 9, continuing her streak as one of the hottest young names in Nashville.
Meanwhile, the boys are battling it out in Best Male Country Artist, where Wallen faces off against Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, Riley Green, and genre-blending hitmaker Shaboozey — whose continued rise proves country music’s evolving sound isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
The group category is stacked with fan-favorite legends and touring powerhouses too, including Brooks & Dunn, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Treaty Oak Revival, and Zac Brown Band.
And if there’s one thing this year’s nominations made crystal clear, it’s that country’s next generation has officially arrived. Rising artists like Sam Barber, Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top all scored recognition in the Breakthrough Country Artist category, highlighting the genre’s growing blend of traditional roots and viral momentum.
Over in the Americana/Folk field, artists like Noah Kahan, Tyler Childers, The Lumineers, Lord Huron, and Mumford & Sons are keeping the campfire-folk renaissance alive and well. Kahan also earned additional nominations in Song of the Summer and Best Rock/Alternative Song for “The Great Divide,” further cementing his crossover appeal.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an awards season headline without Taylor Swift entering the conversation. While the pop icon earned the night’s most nominations with eight total nods, Swift continues to resonate deeply with country audiences thanks to her storytelling roots and loyal Nashville fanbase. This year, she’s up for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for The Life of a Showgirl, Song of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia,” Song of the Summer for “Elizabeth Taylor,” and several major pop categories.
Fan voting is officially open now via VoteAMAs.com and through the AMAs Instagram profile. Voting closes Friday, May 8 at 11:59 a.m. PT, with Social Song of the Year and Tour of the Year remaining open during the first 30 minutes of the live broadcast.
The 52nd American Music Awards airs LIVE Monday, May 25 on CBS and Paramount+ — and Celeb Secrets Country will be on the ground in Las Vegas bringing you all the best red carpet fashion, backstage moments, interviews, and country music chaos from the biggest fan-voted night of the year.
2026 American Music Awards – Country & Folk/Americana Nominees
Artist of the Year
Bad Bunny
Bruno Mars
BTS
Harry Styles
Justin Bieber
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga
Morgan Wallen
Sabrina Carpenter
Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year
Alex Warren
Ella Langley
KATSEYE
Leon Thomas
Olivia Dean
SOMBR
Album of the Year
Cardi B – “AM I THE DRAMA?”
Fuerza Regida – “111xpantia”
Justin Bieber – “SWAG”
Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving”
Playboi Carti – “MUSIC”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
Tate McRae – “So Close To What”
Taylor Swift – “The Life of a Showgirl”
Song of the Year
Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
Kehlani – “Folded”
Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
SOMBR – “back to friends”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Collaboration of the Year
BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae – “What I Want”
PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
Shaboozey, Jelly Roll – “Amen”
Best Music Video
KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
Tyla – “CHANEL”
Breakout Tour
Benson Boone – “American Heart World Tour”
Kali Uchis – “The Sincerely, Tour”
The Marías – “Submarine Tour”
Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay? Tour”
Sleep Token – “Even in Arcadia Tour”
Song of the Summer
Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
BTS – “SWIM”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Harry Styles – “American Girls”
Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
Tame Impala, JENNIE – “Dracula”
Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor”
Best Female Pop Artist
Lady Gaga
Olivia Dean
Sabrina Carpenter
Tate McRae
Taylor Swift
Best Pop Album
Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving”
Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
Tate McRae – “So Close To What”
Taylor Swift – “The Life of a Showgirl”
Best Male Country Artist
Jelly Roll
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Riley Green
Shaboozey
Best Female Country Artist
Ella Langley
Kelsea Ballerini
Lainey Wilson
Megan Moroney
Miranda Lambert
Best Country Duo or Group
Brooks & Dunn
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Treaty Oak Revival
Zac Brown Band
Breakthrough Country Artist
Sam Barber
Tucker Wetmore
Zach Top
Best Country Song
BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
Morgan Wallen – “Just In Case”
Russell Dickerson – “Happen To Me”
Shaboozey – “Good News”
Best Country Album
BigXthaPlug – “I Hope You’re Happy”
Megan Moroney – “Cloud 9”
Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
Sam Barber – “Restless Mind”
Tucker Wetmore – “What Not To”
Best Americana/Folk Artist
Lord Huron
The Lumineers
Mumford & Sons
Noah Kahan
Tyler Childers
