Ella Langley leads the nominations for the 2026 CMA Awards, picking up nine nods ahead of the 60th annual ceremony in Nashville.
The 27-year-old “Choosin’ Texas” hitmaker has enjoyed a breakthrough year, with the viral success of the song helping establish her as one of country music’s fastest-rising stars.
Miranda Lambert follows Langley with seven nominations, while Kacey Musgraves, Ben West, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. each receive five.
The 2026 CMA Awards will take place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on November 18.
Ella Langley leads CMA awards nominations
Langley’s nine nominations include the night’s biggest prize, Entertainer of the Year.
She will compete against Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and reigning winner Lainey Wilson for the award.
Wilson is also set to host the ceremony and will attempt to defend her Entertainer of the Year title following another major year in country music.
Langley is also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, while “Choosin’ Texas” appears in the races for Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year.
Her album Dandelion is nominated for Album of the Year, further underlining the breadth of her nominations.
Taylor Swift earns CMA Single Of The Year nomination
Taylor Swift has returned to the CMA Single of the Year category with “I Knew It, I Knew You” from Toy Story 5.
The nomination marks Swift’s first appearance in the category since 2013, when she was recognised for her contribution to Tim McGraw’s “Highway Don’t Care”.
Swift’s latest nomination is only her second CMA nomination of the 2020s.
Her most recent CMA recognition came in 2022, when she was nominated for Video of the Year for “I Bet You Think About Me” with Chris Stapleton.
2026 CMA awards welcome first-time nominees
The 2026 nominations also highlight a new generation of country artists, songwriters, producers and musicians.
Smith Ahnquist, Avery Anna, Jack Antonoff, Tim Cofield, Carter Faith, Austin Goodloe, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Caylee Robillard, Laura Sisk, Joybeth Taylor, Thelma and James and Ben West all receive their first CMA nominations.
Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore and Stephen Wilson Jr. are nominated for New Artist of the Year.
The category gives several emerging acts an opportunity to take home their first major CMA award.
2026 CMA awards nominees
entertainer of the year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Ella Langley
- Chris Stapleton
- Lainey Wilson
Single Of The Year
Award goes to artist, producers and mix engineers
- “Be Her” – Ella Langley
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “I Knew It, I Knew You” – Taylor Swift
- “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Album Of The Year
Award goes to artist, producers and mix engineers
- Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top
- Dandelion – Ella Langley
- Middle of Nowhere – Kacey Musgraves
- Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum
- The Way I Am – Luke Combs
Song Of The Year
Award goes to songwriters
- “Be Her”
- “Beautiful Things”
- “Choosin’ Texas”
- “Dry Spell”
- “Gary”
Female Vocalist Of The Year
- Miranda Lambert
- Ella Langley
- Megan Moroney
- Kacey Musgraves
- Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist Of The Year
- Luke Combs
- Cody Johnson
- Chris Stapleton
- Zach Top
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
Vocal Group Of The Year
- Lady A
- Little Big Town
- Midland
- Old Dominion
- The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo Of The Year
- Brooks & Dunn
- Brothers Osborne
- Dan + Shay
- Muscadine Bloodline
- Thelma and James
Musical Event Of The Year
Award goes to artists and producers
- “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert with Chris Stapleton
- “Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves featuring Miranda Lambert
- “I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley and Morgan Wallen
- “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce and Riley Green
- “McArthur” – HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen and Tim McGraw
Musician Of The Year
- Tom Bukovac – Guitar
- Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
- Paul Franklin – Steel guitar
- Rob McNelley – Guitar
- Charlie Worsham – Guitar
Music Video Of The Year
Award goes to artists and directors
- “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
- “Dry Spell” – Kacey Musgraves
- “Gary” – Stephen Wilson Jr.
- “The Fall” – Cody Johnson
- “White Horse” – Chris Stapleton
New Artist Of The Year
- Avery Anna
- Carter Faith
- Emily Ann Roberts
- Tucker Wetmore
- Stephen Wilson Jr.
When are the 2026 CMA awards?
The 60th annual CMA Awards will take place live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on 18 November 2026.
