Thomas Rhett and Lauren Lead the Hottest Red Carpet Couples at the 2026 ACM Awards
Country music’s power couples turned the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards into date night central, packing the MGM Grand Garden Arena red carpet on Sunday — with Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins making a rare, PDA-filled appearance in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas lit up for country music date night. The 2026 ACM Awards brought out a lot of loved-up pairs, and yes, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins made a rare red carpet appearance after welcoming their fifth baby earlier this year. Busy house, quick glam stop.
- What: 61st Academy of Country Music Awards (2026)
- Host: Shania Twain, taking the ACM mic for the first time
- When: Sunday, May 17, 8 p.m. ET
- Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
- How to watch: Streaming live on Prime Video
- Performers: Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves, Riley Green, Thomas Rhett and more
- Top nominees: Megan Moroney leads with 9; Miranda Lambert has 8 (she is 42); Ella Langley and Lainey Wilson have 7 each (27 and 33, respectively). It is the second year in a row that women dominate the nomination tally.
Red carpet check-in
The couples showed up in force. Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins were the headline sighting, mostly because we have not seen them do many step-and-repeats since baby No. 5 arrived at the start of the year. The rest of the arrivals kept the vibe classic Vegas country: lots of sparkle, lots of boots, lots of hand-holding.
Shania at the wheel
Shania Twain hosting for the first time is one of those wait, really, first time? things. Better late than never. With that lineup, she has plenty of firepower to work with, and the Prime Video setup keeps it simple if you are watching at home.
Women on top, again
Megan Moroney leading the field with nine nods is a legit headline, and Miranda Lambert, Ella Langley, and Lainey Wilson crowding right behind her makes it two consecutive years where the women are out in front. Not exactly a fluke at this point.