CMA Awards 2026 nominations revealed: See the big names in list

The 2026 CMA Awards already have a frontrunner — and she came dangerously close to making history.

Ella Langley leads this year’s nominations with nine nods, just one shy of Alan Jackson’s record 10 nominations from 2002. 

The 27-year-old country star is competing for major prizes including Entertainer and Female Vocalist of the Year, while her album Dandelion is up for Album of the Year.

Her Entertainer competition? No small names: Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton.

Clearly thrilled by the recognition, Langley kept her reaction short and sweet on Instagram: “What an honor @cma.”

Miranda Lambert follows with seven nominations, including a Female Vocalist of the Year showdown against Langley, Wilson, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves.

And yes, Taylor Swift is back in the country conversation.

Swift earned a Single of the Year nomination for her Toy Story 5 song I Knew It, I Knew You, marking her first nomination in the category since 2013, when she appeared on Tim McGraw’s Highway Don’t Care.

Meanwhile, the Male Vocalist race features Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Zach Top and Stephen Wilson Jr., while Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion and The Red Clay Strays will battle for Vocal Group of the Year.

Wilson is also returning as host for the third consecutive year — and she’s promising a party.

“I’m excited to celebrate my friends. It’s just been a huge few years for country music, so, it’s gonna be a party.”

And with the ceremony celebrating its 60th anniversary, she has good reason to be excited.

“I’ve had so much fun hosting the last two years,” Wilson added, “and this one’s going to be extra special.”

The 2026 CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 18.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

Luke Combs

Cody Johnson

Ella Langley

Chris Stapleton

Lainey Wilson

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

“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

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

“Be Her,” Songwriters: Smith Ahnquist, Michael Hardy, Ella Langley, Jordan Schmidt

“Beautiful Things,” Songwriters: Jessi Alexander, Jessie Jo Dillon, Connie Harrington, Megan Moroney

“Choosin’ Texas,” Songwriters: Luke Dick, Ella Langley, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor

“Dry Spell,” Songwriters: Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne

“Gary,” Songwriter: Stephen Wilson Jr.

Ella Langley, Big Pic

Jason Kempin/Getty Images

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 & James

Luke Combs

Taylor Hill/WireImage

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert (with Chris Stapleton)

“Horses and Divorces” – Kacey Musgraves (feat. Miranda Lambert)

“I Can’t Love You Anymore” – Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen

“If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay” – Carly Pearce & Riley Green

“McArthur” – HARDY, Eric Church, Morgan Wallen & 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

“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.