The 60th ACM Awards: Date, Host, Location, And Everything We Know About The 2025 Milestone Event

The Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM Awards) is set to celebrate a monumental anniversary in 2025, and the official date is locked in. This year marks the 60th edition of the prestigious awards ceremony, and the Academy is planning a spectacular, multi-day event to honor six decades of country music excellence. Fans, industry professionals, and artists are already buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be one of the biggest nights in country music history, complete with the return of a legendary host and a packed schedule of events leading up to the main show.

As of today, December 11, 2025, all key details for the milestone event have been officially announced, confirming the show's return to the Lone Star State. The 60th ACM Awards will not just be a single ceremony but a true celebration of the genre, featuring special performances, legacy tributes, and a star-studded red carpet. Here is the definitive guide to the 2025 ACM Awards, covering the exact date, venue, host, and the exciting plans for the anniversary program.

Definitive Details: The 60th ACM Awards Date, Location, and Host

The 60th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is scheduled to take place on a Thursday evening, maintaining the show's recent tradition of a mid-week event to maximize viewership and social media engagement. This timing is a key feature of the show's modern format, which has seen its popularity soar in recent years.

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• Official Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025.
• Venue & Location: Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
• Host: Entertainment icon Reba McEntire, marking her 18th time hosting the ACM Awards.
• Streaming Platform: Live and exclusively streamed on Prime Video.
• Red Carpet: The official red carpet pre-show will also stream live, giving fans a close-up look at the fashion and star arrivals.

The return to the Ford Center at The Star—the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys in Frisco, Texas—solidifies the venue as the new home for the ACM Awards, having hosted the event for the past few years. The state-of-the-art facility provides a spectacular backdrop for the televised event, offering a massive capacity and an electrifying atmosphere for both the performers and the live audience. The consistent May date places the show firmly in the spring awards season, kicking off the summer of major country music events.

The Return of the Queen: Reba McEntire’s Milestone Hosting Gig

A major highlight of the 2025 ceremony is the return of the legendary Reba McEntire as the host. McEntire is synonymous with the ACM Awards, and her 18th time as Master of Ceremonies is a testament to her enduring status as one of country music's most beloved figures. Her witty banter, flawless stage presence, and deep connection to the genre make her the perfect choice for the 60th-anniversary celebration. The Academy’s decision to bring back a host with such a rich history adds a layer of nostalgia and gravitas to the milestone event, ensuring the night will be both celebratory and respectful of the genre's heritage.

The 60th Anniversary Celebration: What to Expect

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards is more than just an awards show; it is designed as a true celebration of the genre's evolution over six decades. The Academy has announced special programming and events that will transform the entire week into a country music festival known as "ACM Awards Week."

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A Twelve-Minute Medley and Star-Studded Lineup

One of the most anticipated elements of the 60th-anniversary program is a massive, 12-minute medley. This special performance is set to celebrate six decades of ACM Award-winning country songs, promising a high-energy, nostalgic journey through the biggest hits and most iconic artists in the Academy's history. This segment alone will be a must-watch for any country music fan, showcasing the depth and breadth of the genre's influence.

The initial list of performers announced already hints at a night dedicated to honoring both the past and the present of country music. The confirmed list of initial performers includes a mix of legends and contemporary stars:

• Clint Black
• Dan + Shay
• Wynonna Judd
• Reba McEntire (performing in addition to hosting)
• LeAnn Rimes

The inclusion of icons like Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, and LeAnn Rimes alongside the contemporary duo Dan + Shay perfectly encapsulates the 60th-anniversary theme of bridging generations. Fans should expect many more performers and special collaborations to be announced in the coming months, including surprise appearances and can't-miss duets.

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ACM Awards Week: Frisco’s Country Music Takeover

The celebration is not confined to the May 8th ceremony. The entire week leading up to the show, dubbed "ACM Awards Week," will feature a series of star-studded events, live music showcases, and fan experiences across North Texas. These events typically include:

• ACM Lifting Lives® Events: Charity events and concerts to raise money for the Academy's charitable arm.
• ACM Party for a Cause: A multi-day concert series featuring top-tier talent.
• The ACM Red Carpet: A major event in itself, drawing huge crowds and media attention.

These ancillary events provide numerous opportunities for fans to get closer to their favorite artists and experience the excitement of the awards season firsthand, turning Frisco into the epicenter of country music for a full week.

The Road to the 60th: Key Dates and Nominations

While the main event is scheduled for May 8, 2025, the journey to the ACM Awards involves several crucial announcements that fans and industry members closely follow. The official nominations for the 60th ACM Awards are typically announced in the weeks leading up to the ceremony, usually in March or early April.

Anticipating the 2025 Nominees

The 2025 nominations will be highly scrutinized, following a year where several artists dominated the charts and the previous awards cycle. Looking back at the 59th ACM Awards in 2024 provides important context for who might lead the pack in 2025. The 2024 ceremony, also held at the Ford Center at The Star, saw:

• Lainey Wilson win the coveted Entertainer of the Year award, solidifying her status as a leading force in the genre.
• Chris Stapleton and Megan Moroney also took home major awards.
• Jelly Roll was a notable winner for his collaboration "Save Me."

The success of these artists in 2024 sets the stage for a competitive 2025. Fans are eager to see if Lainey Wilson can repeat her success, who will challenge Morgan Wallen and Luke Combs in the top categories, and which rising stars will break into the New Artist categories. The nominations announcement will instantly become a major talking point, fueling debates and predictions across the country music community.

The 60th ACM Awards is shaping up to be a historic event that honors the legacy of country music while celebrating its vibrant future. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 8, 2025, and prepare for a week of unforgettable music and star-studded glamour live from Frisco, Texas, exclusively on Prime Video.