Billboard Predicts 2026 CMA Award Nominees, With Ella Langley Poised to Lead
Billboard offers predictions for the 60th CMA Awards nominations, set to be announced on Sept. 10. Ella Langley is expected to receive multiple nods, possibly including her first entertainer of the year nomination, and could make history if she is joined by Lainey Wilson and Megan Moroney. The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on Disney+ on Nov. 18.
The 60th CMA Awards nominations will be unveiled on September 10th. The eligibility window spans from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Single of the Year contenders must have charted in the top ten on specific Billboard or Country Aircheck charts. The full list will be streamed on the CMA's YouTube channel, hosted by Lee Ann Womack and Hannah Harper, following a morning reveal on GMA.
Langley's potential lead stems from a chart-topping album and a 21-week reign atop the Hot 100. If she, Wilson, and Moroney all secure entertainer nods, it would mark a historic first for three solo women in the same year. The ceremony will air on ABC and stream on Disney+ on November 18th, under a new six-year agreement.
The potential for three solo women to be nominated for Entertainer of the Year could signal a meaningful shift in country music's recognition of female artists. This may encourage industry investment in women-led tours and projects, while also shaping audience expectations for representation at major awards. The ceremony's new simultaneous streaming on Disney+ could broaden viewership, potentially exposing a wider demographic to the genre's evolving landscape.