• Lainey Wilson won Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row and also took home the award for Female Artist of the Year.
• Alan Jackson was honored with the Alan Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award and delivered an emotional performance.
• Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys provided a memorable closing performance, emphasizing country music's welcoming nature.

The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards took place at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Hosted by Reba McEntire for the 18th time, the event celebrated the achievements of country music's biggest stars. Notable winners included Lainey Wilson, who secured Entertainer of the Year and Female Artist of the Year, Cody Johnson, who won Song of the Year for 'Dirt Cheap,' and Zach Top, who received the New Male Artist of the Year award. The ceremony featured performances from various artists and collaborations, adding to the celebratory atmosphere.

• What: The 60th Academy of Country Music Awards ceremony took place, honoring achievements in country music.
• Who: Hosted by Reba McEntire, with performances by numerous artists including Lainey Wilson, Cody Johnson, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Backstreet Boys, and Jelly Roll.
• When: The event was held on May 8, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET.
• Where: Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

The 2025 ACM Awards showcased a blend of established and emerging talent in the country music scene. Lainey Wilson's repeat win as Entertainer of the Year solidifies her position as a leading figure in the genre. The recognition of Alan Jackson with a lifetime achievement award highlighted his lasting impact. Collaborative performances, like Rascal Flatts and Backstreet Boys, added a unique and memorable element to the show. The inclusion of new artists and crossover stars like Post Malone demonstrates the evolving landscape of country music.

"It’s quite an honor. A few years ago, one of my fans named their dog after me, and I thought that was something, but this is really — this is amazing."

"I’m thrilled to be coming back to host the 60th ACM Awards on Prime Video. It’s going to be an absolute can’t miss show and I can’t wait to see everybody back in Texas!"

"We love each other, we respect each other, we laugh a lot. We can be stupid together, that's the best part."

The 2025 ACM Awards not only celebrated country music’s heritage with tributes to legends like Alan Jackson and Wynonna Judd, but also spotlighted its present vibrancy and future direction. Lainey Wilson emerged as a dominant force, securing Entertainer of the Year for the second consecutive year, alongside Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year, while Ella Langley also had a successful night, winning New Female Artist of the Year and other awards. The collaborative performance between Rascal Flatts and the Backstreet Boys underscored the genre's increasing openness to cross-genre collaborations. The awards reflected the increasing influence of streaming, which has broadened the accessibility of country music and fostered experimentation with diverse sounds. This fusion of genres, seen in the success of artists like Jelly Roll and Post Malone, signals a move towards a more inclusive and innovative country music landscape, even as traditional sounds maintain a presence with artists like Cody Johnson and Zach Top. The event highlighted country music's dynamic evolution, balancing its rich heritage with a forward-looking embrace of new sounds and platforms.