Ella Langley is heading into the 2026 CMA Awards with a commanding lead, collecting nine nominations as country music prepares for the 60th edition of its signature awards show.
Langley’s haul puts her ahead of Miranda Lambert, who earned seven nominations, while Kacey Musgraves, Ben West, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and Stephen Wilson Jr. each landed five.
For Langley, the recognition stretches across several of the ceremony’s biggest categories. She is up for Entertainer of the Year alongside Luke Combs, Cody Johnson, Chris Stapleton and reigning winner Lainey Wilson.
Langley also has the unusual distinction of competing against herself for Single of the Year. Both “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas” made the category, joining Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You,” Wilson’s “Somewhere Over Laredo” and Johnson’s “The Fall.”
Her success continues in Song of the Year, where “Be Her” and “Choosin’ Texas” are both nominated. Kacey Musgraves is represented in the category with “Dry Spell,” while Megan Moroney’s “Beautiful Things” and Stephen Wilson Jr.’s “Gary” round out the field.
The Album of the Year race brings another high-profile group together. Langley’s Dandelion will face Zach Top’s Ain’t In It For My Health, Musgraves’ Middle of Nowhere, Parker McCollum’s self-titled album and Combs’ The Way I Am.
Female Vocalist of the Year is equally stacked, with Lambert, Langley, Megan Moroney, Musgraves and Wilson competing for the honor. The Male Vocalist field consists of Combs, Johnson, Stapleton, Top and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Several collaborations also made an impact. Musical Event of the Year includes Lambert with Stapleton on “A Song To Sing,” Musgraves featuring Lambert on “Horses and Divorces,” and Langley teaming with Morgan Wallen for “I Can’t Love You Anymore.” Carly Pearce and Riley Green are nominated for “If I Don’t Leave I’m Gonna Stay,” while HARDY, Eric Church, Wallen and Tim McGraw share a nomination for “McArthur.”
The 2026 nominations also welcome a new crop of CMA contenders. Among the first-time nominees are Jack Antonoff, Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Muscadine Bloodline, Emily Ann Roberts, Thelma & James and Ben West.
The New Artist of the Year category will feature Avery Anna, Carter Faith, Emily Ann Roberts, Tucker Wetmore and Stephen Wilson Jr.
With Langley leading the nominations and Lambert and Musgraves appearing throughout the ballot, women are positioned prominently across some of the night’s most closely watched races.
Lainey Wilson will return to host the 60th Annual CMA Awards, scheduled for Nov. 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The ceremony will air live on ABC.