Heads up, country fans! The countdown to the 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is officially underway. Music fans are buzzing with excitement for one of the genre’s biggest and most talented nights! With promises of big surprises, standout performances for new times and legends, and unforgettable moments, the anticipation couldn’t be higher.
Set for Thursday, May 16, 2025, the ACM Awards will be broadcast live from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. They will also be available to stream globally on Prime Video. To make things even extra special, Reba McEntire is returning as host once again. While the main event is still a few weeks away, the Academy has already handed out a few major early honors, giving audiences a sneak peek at what’s to come.
New Winners Announced Ahead of Big Celebration
One of the year’s breakout stars, Ella Langley, has officially been crowned the 2025 ACM New Female Artist of the Year! Known for her bold mix of country grit with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll, Langley has quickly won fans over with hits like “Paint the Town Blue.” She has also proven how much of a star she is thanks to her electrifying live shows. This prestigious award marks a major milestone in her fast-rising career.
In a heartwarming surprise, Langley received the news from none other than Miranda Lambert. The country star delivered the announcement via a video message. “I’m here to tell you how proud I am of you for being the top-nominated artist for the Academy of Country Music Awards this year,” Lambert told a cheering crowd. “You are my friend, a fellow dog rescue advocate, a co-writer, my soul sister in country music, and a partner in crime. We are gonna celebrate so big in Dallas, Texas! They ain’t even ready!”
At just 25, Langley is up for four additional awards this year, including Female Artist of the Year and several nominations tied to her chart-topping hit “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green. The song quickly soared to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay, hit No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 7 on Hot Country Songs. She’s also competing for Song of the Year and Visual Media of the Year as both an artist and songwriter/director.
Joining the winners’ circle is also Zach Top! Top was named the 2025 ACM New Male Artist of the Year. Celebrated worldwide for his classic ’90s country vibe with a particular modern twist, Top’s smooth vocals and authentic storytelling on tracks like “Sounds Like the Radio” have struck a chord with fans.
Top found out about his big win thanks to a surprise video from country icons Brooks & Dunn. He went on to beat out stiff competition, including Tucker Wetmore, Gavin Adcock, Bailey Zimmerman, and Shaboozey.
What’s Still to Come
The full list of winners will be revealed live during the much-awaited night. With major stars like Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Chris Stapleton, and Luke Combs all up for big wins, this year the competition is more than fierce. Many can agree that the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Tune in for the full 60th ACM Awards on Thursday, May 16, 2025, starting at 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET, exclusively on Prime Video. Whether you’re watching for the show-stopping performances, the heartfelt speeches, or those jaw-dropping surprises, this year’s ACM Awards promise a celebration of country music at its finest.
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2025 ACM Awards: Early Winners Revealed Ahead of Country Music’s Biggest Night