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.
