Country music’s biggest night just got a lot more interesting. On September 10, the Country Music Association unveiled its full nominee list for the 2026 CMA Awards, and the lineup is stacked with familiar names, breakout stars, and one very notable comeback.

Leading the charge this year is Ella Langley, who racked up nine nominations across the board — putting her within striking distance of Alan Jackson’s all-time record of 10 nods in a single year, set back in 2002. Right behind her, Taylor Swift made a surprise return to the CMA nominee circle for the first time in four years, scoring a Song of the Year nomination for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her contribution to the “Toy Story 5” soundtrack.

With the 60th Annual CMA Awards set to broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on November 18, fans are already buzzing about who might walk away with country music’s most coveted trophies. Below, we break down every major category, the standout nominees, and what to expect heading into award night.

Ella Langley Dominates the 2026 Nominee List

At just 27 years old, Ella Langley has cemented herself as the artist to watch this awards season. Her nine nominations span some of the night’s biggest categories, including Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year, while her album “Dandelion” is up for Album of the Year honors. It’s a staggering haul that ties the record for the most nominations ever earned by a female artist in a single CMA Awards cycle — a mark Miranda Lambert originally set in 2010.

Langley’s momentum has been building all year. Back in February, she made history as the only woman to simultaneously top the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, and Country Airplay charts, thanks to her hit “Choosin’ Texas,” which she co-wrote with Lambert. She carried that momentum into the 2026 ACM Awards, where she swept all seven categories she was nominated in.

Reacting to her near-record-breaking nomination haul, Langley took to social media to share her excitement, keeping the message short and heartfelt as she thanked the Country Music Association for the honor.

In the Entertainer of the Year race, Langley will go head-to-head with heavy hitters Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Lainey Wilson, and Chris Stapleton — arguably one of the most competitive lineups in recent memory.

Taylor Swift Returns to the CMA Awards After Four Years

One of the most talked-about storylines from this year’s announcement is Taylor Swift’s return to CMA nominee status. Swift picked up a nomination for Single of the Year thanks to “I Knew It, I Knew You,” the track she wrote for Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” marking her first CMA nomination since 2022.

This isn’t Swift’s first rodeo with the CMAs, though. She’s amassed an eye-popping 28 career nominations and has taken home 10 trophies over the years, though she hasn’t won in this specific category since “Better Man” in 2017. For the new single, Swift reunited with longtime collaborator Jack Antonoff, who also earned his first-ever CMA nomination for Single of the Year in his role as producer.

Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and Other Top Nominees

Ella Langley and Taylor Swift may be grabbing headlines, but they’re far from the only major players this year:

  • Miranda Lambert picked up seven nominations, partly thanks to her songwriting and producing work on Langley’s tracks and album.
  • Kacey Musgraves and producer Ben West each earned five nominations apiece.
  • Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Stephen Wilson Jr. all landed four nominations each.
  • Dave Clauss, Luke Combs, and Lainey Wilson rounded out the list with three nominations each.

One of the biggest surprises of the morning came from Stephen Wilson Jr., a grunge-country singer-songwriter who scored four nominations, including nods for Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year for his solo-written track “Gary,” a tribute to working-class life.

Full List of 2026 CMA Awards Nominees by Category

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” — Ella Langley
  • “Beautiful Things” — Megan Moroney
  • “Choosin’ Texas” — Ella Langley
  • “Dry Spell” — Kacey Musgraves
  • “Gary” — Stephen Wilson Jr.

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.

(Additional categories, including Female and Male Vocalist of the Year and Musical Event of the Year, were also announced as part of the full nominee slate.)

What CMA Leadership Had to Say

CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern also weighed in on the announcement, crediting the association’s professional membership for shaping this year’s ballot through their collective expertise. It’s a nod to the peer-voted process that determines every nomination, distinguishing the CMA Awards from fan-voted shows.

When and Where to Watch the 2026 CMA Awards?

Mark your calendars — the 60th Annual CMA Awards will air live on Wednesday, November 18, broadcasting from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The show will be simulcast on ABC and Disney+, with a next-day stream available on Hulu. Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson is set to host, adding another layer of anticipation to an already stacked night. Performers and presenters have yet to be confirmed, but given the star power in this year’s nominee pool, expect a lineup announcement soon.

FAQs

When are the 2026 CMA Awards?

The 60th Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, broadcasting live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

How many CMA nominations does Ella Langley have in 2026?

Ella Langley leads all nominees this year with nine nominations, just one shy of Alan Jackson’s record of 10 nods in a single year.

Is Taylor Swift nominated for a CMA Award in 2026?

Yes. Taylor Swift is nominated for Single of the Year for “I Knew It, I Knew You,” her song from the “Toy Story 5” soundtrack — her first CMA nomination in four years.

Who is hosting the 2026 CMA Awards?

Lainey Wilson, the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year, is set to host this year’s ceremony.

Where can I watch the 2026 CMA Awards?

The show airs live on ABC and Disney+ on November 18, with a next-day stream available on Hulu.

Who are the Entertainer of the Year nominees for 2026?

The nominees are Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson.

Conclusion

This year’s CMA Awards nominations paint a picture of a genre in transition — one where established hitmakers like Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves share the spotlight with rising forces like Ella Langley and Stephen Wilson Jr., while a global pop icon like Taylor Swift still manages to make her presence felt. Langley’s near-record nomination haul, paired with her chart-topping year, makes her the clear frontrunner heading into November, but with Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton, and Lainey Wilson all in the Entertainer of the Year mix, nothing is guaranteed.

Swift’s return to the nominee list after a four-year absence adds another compelling subplot, especially given her lengthy history with the CMAs and her reunion with producer Jack Antonoff on a song tied to one of the year’s biggest movie releases.

All eyes will now turn to Nashville on November 18, when the 60th Annual CMA Awards crown this year’s winners. Who do you think will take home Entertainer of the Year? Drop your predictions in the comments, and be sure to share this article with your favorite country music fan before the big night.